Virgil van Dijk's emotional reason for delaying Liverpool contract announcement

Virgil van Dijk was taking care of business last week - but the Dutchman didn’t forget the responsibilities that come with being captain.

Van Dijk’s delight at was kept in-house because he didn’t want the news to detract from the emotions of the club remembering the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

A few days earlier, the 33-year-old centre-back had taken the full acclaim of the Kop after heading home the late winner against before meeting up with Sean Cox, the Liverpool fan from Ireland who was left with life-changing injuries after being mindlessly attacked by Roma hooligans in 2018.

Remembering the past is important at Liverpool - even when you are looking towards a future that will start with Van Dijk becoming the club’s first captain in 35 years to lift the trophy aloft in a stadium packed with supporters.

Van Dijk said: “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.

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“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.”

With also signing a two-year deal, boss feels his summer plans to build on the title triumph of his first season in charge have got off to the perfect start. One of the assurances Van Dijk sought during negotiations was that the club will build for the future. Van Dijk is about to add a second title medal to the , and two EFL Cups he has won during his first six-and-a-half years on Merseyside, with Liverpool needing just a point from their clash with to be crowned champions.

When accepted the Premier League trophy five years ago, the pandemic meant Anfield was empty. Asked during an interview with Dutch publication AD if he visualises taking the silverware back in front of the fans, Van Dijk said: “Yes, of course I do. It would be really fantastic. We're going to do everything we can to get that job done.''

“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 . 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 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.”

Van Dijk added: “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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