Liverpool and Netherlands national team captain Virgil Van Dijk has talked about his future once again after his last comments which suggested that he may be at the end of his football career.
The defender lost out on the Premier League with Liverpool last season following a late collapse in the title race by the Reds. He also lost out on the Euros after a last-gasp defeat to England in the tournament’s semifinals. After the back-to-back disappointments, he said he would “think carefully” about his future which hinted that he was ready to hang up his boots.
He has now admitted that the comments were emotional, while also giving Liverpool fans hope for the future.
“I understood that it was unclear how I felt about it,” Van Dijk said of his previous comments around his international future. “I was of course very disappointed after the match, then you are full of emotion.
“It may have seemed at the time that it could have been my last international match. But I am a warrior and a fighter and I will never just give up for the Oranje.
“Ultimately, you have to look at your own abilities and assess whether you are still important enough. I most certainly am. On the field and off it.
“I am the captain of Liverpool, a consistent factor and I feel excellent physically while I am improving on the ball too. I want to play another World Cup. I know I am still more than good enough.”
Asked about Liverpool, he said: “At both teams I am still Virgil van Dijk, the big leader! And I certainly want to remain that for the next two years. I am human, I have emotions too. You start thinking all kinds of things. Especially just after a game like the elimination (by England) in the very last minute.
“I also understand that it came across unclear on how I stood in all this, because after the match I was so disappointed and full of emotion. It perhaps came across as if it had been my last international match. I did have doubts that night and I did hint at that.
“It’s very good that I went on holiday the next day, was able to spend time with my children, my family, which is the most important thing in my life. I was able to share it and then very quickly things calmed down.”
Van Dijk is out of a contract at Liverpool at the end of the season. The recent comments suggest he would like to continue at the club which means that discussions will soon take place or are already taking place.
