Virgil Van Dijk says captaining Liverpool is an honour that he does not take for granted as he stands on the brink of joining illustrious names in the history of the club.
The Dutchman has earned many individual honours throughout his career and been part of successful teams, however you sense being the captain of a title winning side means a whole lot more.
Speaking to the Dutch Publication AD (per the Mirror), Van Dijk talks not just about success on the pitch, but the essence of the club in general and how it touches the heads and minds of fans the world over.
“The culture of this club is so great, so rich. Liverpool's impact is huge in this region, as the club lives all over the world The minute's silence for the Hillsborough victims, the ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’ anthem immediately afterwards.
“Things like that never get used - nor do I ever intend to get used to them. As they say here ‘you don't take that for granted.’ I get to be part of the history of this club - and I hope to enjoy that every day. It's just a wonderful feeling to be able to be important. I have never made a secret of how immensely proud I am to be captain of Liverpool, how I consider that a privilege every day.”
A sign of the respect and connection between players and the club is the example of Van Dijk holding off on publicly announcing his new contract until the 36th Anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy was marked.
“Since playing for Liverpool, I have heard and read more and more about Hillsborough over the years. You hear the stories of the families, of supporters. The impact of this disaster is still huge here.”
As well as paying his respects to the tragic occasion in appropriate style, Van Dijk makes no qualms about the fulfilment he finds in connecting with individuals who have gone through some awful personal hardships like Sean Cox and his family.
“Sean was disabled in an attack around a game against AS Roma a few years back. Since then, he and his family are often invited by the club. I have met him many times and I know his family a bit by now. It's little things perhaps - but that is typical of Liverpool. This club means so incredibly much to people.
While it has been a season of major progression on the pitch, the 33 year-old believes there is plenty more to come.
“In my opinion, the story is not yet finished. The club is very ambitious, the plans for this summer sound good. There is still a lot to achieve here. Whatever is going to happen with players coming or leaving, I think this is going to be a very important summer for the club.
“I am convinced that the club management see it that way too - and we have to trust that they are going to do that in a good way. So that we can also play for prizes in the coming years. Arne is doing a great job. Klopp was - and is - a legend at this club, but the new coach has added some new touches in his own way, without immediately turning everything upside down.
“Next summer will actually be the first transfer window in which Arne can really make his own choices. That combination of things makes me really confident about the next two years.”
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