It has previously been reported that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk were among the players who learned of Jürgen Klopp’s departure before the others. It doesn’t quite seem right, according to what vice-captain Alexander-Arnold himself says.
At Easter he was interviewed by Jamie Carragher at a charity event at the Royal Liver Building. There he talked about what happened when Klopp broke the shock news.
– It started as a normal day. Then the manager called in a meeting at 10.30, which was something he had never done before, so everyone thought “what is going on?”. He came into the dressing room and told us there was news breaking as he spoke. So we players found out at the same time as everyone else, but he told us personally, says Alexander-Arnold.
James Pearce of The Athletic was present and reports from the interview.
– He said that this had to be his last season and that he needed a break to spend time with his family. I didn’t know what to do and you think ‘is this a joke?’. None of us expected that. After he left the room, everyone was sitting there thinking “what just happened?”. Then you just have to accept it, go out and train in an hour, and do your job.
Speech from the captain
After the announcement, van Dijk spoke in the dressing room.
– It was something Virgil van Dijk said to us after Jürgen had said it to us. He said: “This is massive news which is going to shake the football world, but we can’t let it distract us, we have to use it as motivation. The manager has led us to so much success and has allowed us to fulfill our dreams. We owe it to him to give everything we can to give him the best possible farewell.”
– Virgil said that if people thought this would make us take our eyes off the ball, then we had to show them the opposite. It was big news, but as a professional you have to accept it quickly and move on.
Soon back on the field
So far, Alexander-Arnold has not trained after the setback to the knee injury that has kept him out for much of 2024, but now it is getting closer.
– It has been difficult. You pick up small injuries and problems that keep you out for a few weeks and that’s fine, but when it’s months and you lose finals and games against teams like Manchester City, it hurts. The whole world is watching, and it is at that level where you want to perform, he says.
– It was incredible to see the young players come into the team and play as they have done. The day we had at Wembley was incredible. When you’re not playing yourself and have the opportunity to do what you’ve always done, it’s tough. Football is your life. If all goes well, I should be back in the next few weeks.
It is hoped that the Scouser can be considered for the squad against Manchester United on Sunday.
