Virgil Van Dijk reveals Jurgen Klopp’s future plans amid stuttering season

The defender has had his say on Klopp’s future

Updated: July 05, 2023 at 3:59 am GMT+1

Defender Virgil van Dijk has confirmed that Jurgen Klopp will remain in charge this summer and beyond despite reports that Liverpool were considering a change of management.

The Reds currently sit 7th in the Premier League, but have won just two of their last five games and were blown away 5-2 by Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

9 points adrift of 4th placed Tottenham, they may well miss out on Champions League football next season, but Van Dijk remains confident that Klopp will stay.

“Of course, Klopp is the boss and that doesn’t change. I’m very happy with him, he’s very happy at Liverpool”, he told Sky Germany.

“I hope better times are coming again, that’s what we are working for”

Klopp himself has already hinted that there will be wholesale change at the club this summer.

“We know we have to improve, we know we have to change things, and we will. We cannot do that now, but it’s already clear that we have to do something in the summer”, he told the media ahead of the 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

“Our transfers always have to be on point. That makes it really tricky. We cannot make four transfers before we know who will leave the club and stuff like this.

“I don’t know how often I have to say it, I knew it would be tricky, and that was one of the main reasons why I signed a new contract.

Midfield is expected to be a key area of change, with the midfield against Crystal Palace consisting of Jordan Henderson and James Milner (both well past their peak) and a soon-to-be free agent Naby Keita, who was substituted just after half time.

Milan, Italy. 16 February 2022. Jordan Henderson of Liverpool FC gestures at the end of the Champions League round of sixteen first leg football match between FC Internazionale and Liverpool FC. Credit: Nicolo Campo/Alamy Live News 2HNMEWR Milan, Italy. 16 February 2022. Jordan Henderson of Liverpool FC gestures at the end of the Champions League round of sixteen first leg football match between FC Internazionale and Liverpool FC. Credit: Nicolo Campo/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

But, there is also likely to be change in defence, with both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip having been under significant scrutiny this season and neither having done much to allay fears in their ability. The pair are expected to be moved on.

It is set to be a record summer for the Reds, with their no.1 target Jude Bellingham priced at 150m euros (£132m), while further additions will push their spend north of the £200m mark.