'It's gonna be horrible' - Virgil van Dijk 'dreading' Jurgen Klopp's final day at Liverpool as star defender drops his own future bombshell

Liverpool's towering Dutch defender has revealed his sadness as Klopp, one of the club's most iconic managers, prepares to bid farewell to Anfield after nine remarkable years at the helm. The German manager's announcement of his departure sent shockwaves through the footballing world, catching many by surprise. Citing the need for a break from the game, Klopp's decision marks the end of an illustrious era marked by tangible success in the form of trophies and unwavering passion.

Van Dijk, who has been a cornerstone of Klopp's Liverpool side since his move from Southampton in 2018, made it evident that he is still grappling to come to terms with the impending exit of his manager.

"Very difficult," he told ITV News. "I’m a very emotional person, and I don't like to say goodbyes. Being the captain now, it's gonna be horrible in the sense you probably have to speak a little bit. And like I say that day I'll be dreading.

"It makes it a lot easier if we have success. So that's the aim at the moment. But it's difficult and it's not only the boss who is leaving, it's going to be a lot of changes and more staff leaving, but it will be a tough day. Until that day, we’ll fight and be positive and put all of our focus and effort into that and make the season successful."

Reflecting on Klopp's legacy, Van Dijk hailed the German manager as a "monumental figure" who has profoundly impacted Liverpool.

"It's pretty clear that he’s been a monumental figure for the club for so many years," he said.

"If you think about Liverpool you think about Jurgen Klopp, so he's been very important for the fans who are very important, getting me to the football club and telling me I’m a very important piece of the puzzle. He deserves all the applause that he will get."

Van Dijk has just a year remaining on his contract and there's an air of uncertainty surrounding his own future at Liverpool. When pressed about his potential involvement in a new era following Klopp's departure, he remained non-committal and said: "That's a big question. I don't know."

Klopp is determined to leave on a high note, aiming for a possible treble with Liverpool. Having already secured the Carabao Cup in February, Liverpool sit atop the Premier League table with nine games left and remain in contention for Europa League glory.

"I think we are already so much motivated to make this season a success," Van Dijk added.

"We know at the end of the season will be emotional. But we can make it emotional in a good way by winning trophies. That's what we want to do for ourselves. We want to do it for the boss. We want to do it for the football club around the world. The fans around the world I mean yeah, we all work so hard each and every day. Eventually, to win silverware, that's what we're gonna try and do."

Liverpool will be back in action against Sheffield United on Thursday and will subsequently make a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on April 7 in a prestige clash.