45-Year-Old Previously Crossed Paths With Compatriot Van Dijk

Slot is set to be unveiled as Jurgen Klopp’s successor this summer after ending a three-year spell at Feyenoord, winning an Eredivisie title and Dutch Cup in that time.

The 45-year-old previously crossed paths with compatriot Van Dijk in the twilight of his playing career with PEC Zwolle when they faced Groningen in February 2013.

And the Reds’ captain hopes that his new manager will afford him a brief rest period after the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 campaign this summer before returning to action.

“[It’s a] massive change, not only the manager but there are multiple departments within the club that have a lot of staff members leaving,” said Van Dijk.

“We are at the stage [where] we have to trust the club in this project and this route they are taking and we will see in pre-season how things will look.

“Change is sometimes a little bit scary as you are in the unknown but the only thing you can do is trust the club and we will find out how it looks when we come back and report for pre-season.

“One thing I do know is we need a good break after our tournament because otherwise we will be in trouble as well going into the season.

“Hopefully the new manager will look into that as well.”

Van Dijk is one of three starters entering the final 12 months of his existing deal at Anfield alongside fellow talismans Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.

But the 32-year-old insists he remains focused despite there being ‘nothing on the table’ at present heading into Liverpool’s biggest summer in their recent history.

He added: “My future is not important at the moment.

“The only thing I can say now is if I have a farewell I don’t think I would keep it dry (not cry) because that was something I was very surprised with him (Klopp).

“These fans are something else and eventually when they say goodbye to you then it will be special. Even with Joel [Matip], I said ‘How did you manage to keep it dry pal?’.

“He just wanted to walk through it quickly and stand with us so I think he did that pretty well.

“At the moment there is nothing for me to say. Nothing has changed and nothing is on the table either. No changes in my situation at all.”