To the Liverpool fans who were in hospitality at the Champions League Final last year… THANK YOU.
Your efforts in persuading Virgil van Dijk that Liverpool was the club for him, worked – unequivocally.
In fact, our brilliant no.4 claims that you were a bigger influence on his decision to join than Jurgen Klopp!
The Dutchman was speaking about why and when he decided it was ‘Liverpool or nothing,’ with our rivals, such as Manchester City and Chelsea, openly interested in him last year.
Liverpool tried to secure van Dijk last summer, but after well-publicised complications had to wait until January.
And it was well worth it, with the 26-year-old nothing short of sensational since his arrival.
Van Dijk also discussed his meetings with Klopp, but remarkably, claims the German didn’t need to sell him the club at all.
Unless something bizarre happens, van Dijk will be marshalling Liverpool’s backline well into his thirties.
He cost £75m, but the fact nobody is talking about the fee proves how well he’s taken to the task of leading our defence.
May he put in the performance of a lifetime this evening, to keep Cristiano Ronaldo and co. quiet.