The last news Liverpool fans wanted to hear was the possibility of Virgil van Dijk not committing to the next stage of the club’s evolution.
Whilst the Dutchman didn’t state he would be following Jurgen Klopp immediately out of the door once the 56-year-old departs at the end of the season, there was not total reassurance over his Anfield future.
Assessing the comments in question, James Pearce of The Athletic noted that the No.4 would merely be in the same boat as much of the playing squad in terms of wanting ‘clarity about the direction the club is going in’.
“The fact that their talismanic captain, who has been in outstanding form this season, stopped short of guaranteeing that he will be part of the new era is hardly surprising,” the reporter wrote. “There’s a lot of uncertainty currently with Liverpool needing to recruit a new sporting director, manager and coaching staff.”
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Can you blame Van Dijk?
Much like Jurgen Klopp does not owe Liverpool fans a new contract extension, or even to fully commit to the expiration date of his current terms, our top stars do not owe their undying loyalty to the cause once the former Borussia Dortmund boss calls time on his Anfield career.
Yes, there is a fantastic structure in place for whomever next takes over the reins at L4.
However, Pearce is spot-on to highlight the uncertainty that will surely be lingering in the back of many a player’s mind.
What will come next for a club that has enjoyed significant success in recent years – owing in large part to the efforts of Klopp in the hotseat.
Will the club continue to move in the right direction if, say, Xabi Alonso or Ruben Amorim were to become the next head coach?
These are questions Van Dijk and Co. would be right to ask, especially in the context of contract renewals and the possibility of a superior sporting project elsewhere.
Hopefully, it won’t come to that.