Virgil van Dijk statement gives Arsenal hope of Liverpool collapse following Jurgen Klopp exit

The news that Jurgen Klopp would be leaving Liverpool came as an immediate shock to the Premier League but one which was followed by excitement from rivals including Arsenal. The German is the main reason behind Liverpool’s resurgence from being stuck in Europa League purgatory to becoming league and European champions as well as serial domestic cup winners again.

Arsenal will be hoping that the upheaval will again open the door for them to have to worry less about a third challenger for the league and like last season have their sights solely on Manchester City who also might yet lose their coach come 2025 when Pep Guardiola’s current deal expires. That hope of a Liverpool crumble was perhaps strengthened by the less-than-encouraging – well for Liverpool supporters at least – comments made by club captain Virgil van Dijk.

“Will I be part of the new era? That’s a big question,” Van Dijk said. “I don’t know. Eighteen months left? That’s correct. Good maths. I don’t know.

“The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known. To replace not only the manager but the whole staff and there are so many things that will change. I’m very curious about which direction that will go in but when that will be announced we will see our situation. I can’t say much about it.

“It will be the end of Jurgen Klopp’s era and I am still part of it – that’s why I don’t like to talk about it. That is my main focus.

“We will see at the end of the season, hopefully, we will have the success we all dream of and by then probably there will be more clarification about what the club wants for the future and then we will see.”

This will be music to the ears of the rival supporters and in particular Arsenal and Manchester City. Van Dijk has been a staple of the club’s success under Klopp and with other ageing players like Alisson and Mohamed Salah, the next manager will have something of a rebuild on their hands.

Andrew Robertson will be 30 in the summer, Endo is 30 and Thiago Alcantara 32. The next coach will be entrusted with replacing some of the most pivotal figureheads in the club’s modern success whilst also filling the boots of Klopp and implementing their own style.

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