Van Dijk Admits Liverpool Players Struggling To Digest News Of Klopp's Impending Exit

Klopp announced on Friday that he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season despite having two more years on his contract.

Klopp is the current longest serving manager in the Premier League, having joined the club in October 2015, and has won six major trophies in that time, including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

"The manager means so much for us, to me, to the club," said Reds captain Van Dijk.

"But he made the decision for him and his family. It was always going to be a tough one and it was definitely the case.

"He told us in private of course and all of us were together. It's a hard one to take but our mindset is to focus on business. We have a lot of targets still to achieve this year and why not finish the season on a high and together with celebrations for the boss as well?"

With Liverpool leading the Premier League table, still in the Europa League and FA Cup, and a Carabao Cup final against Chelsea to come next month, Klopp could end his tenure on Merseyside with more trophies.

"We all want to achieve so much and that mindset was already there since pre-season and that doesn't change," Van Dijk, 32, added.

"It will maybe even give you an extra boost to do that extra or maybe enjoy it a little bit more together and make the last part of the season - the last bit of the manager's time at the club - the best time he's ever had.

"That's what we strive for and that's why it's business as usual."