Jurgen Klopp hits back at claims Liverpool could be dismantled when he departs this summer and insists fans have nothing to fear… as he says ‘give the boys a break’ after questions over Virgil van Dijk’s future

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool fans have nothing to worry about after he announced he would leave at the end of the season, along with three coaches and the sporting director.

Captain Virgil van Dijk had refused to commit his long-term future to the club when quizzed about having just 18 months left on his contract, while many pundits have raised questions over whether turbulent times could be ahead at Anfield.

But Klopp hit back at any suggestions of discontent and said Liverpool are in good hands. Asked if Van Dijk’s non-committal answers were a sign the squad could break up, the German said: ‘No, I don’t think so. It is completely normal.

‘It was always clear the outside world would not give you a second to process it (that Klopp is leaving). A week ago when no one knew about my decision, nobody asked about contracts. Give the boys a break!

‘We need to create a perspective about what’s happening. Nobody has to worry. I knew this would happen. Virg didn’t go out and say, “By the way, I wanna say…”

Virgil van Dijk is unwilling to commit his future to the Reds until he has clarity over the club’s long-term vision once Klopp departs at the end of the season, but the German is not worried

‘This club is stable. Everything will be fine, I am 100 per cent sure. The rest, we have to get through this, we have to get through your questions and give some answers. For our people, I would recommend — stay calm.

‘Very often the fans’ concerns are not as big as the media might think. You underestimate the IQ of our supporters. It’s all fine, don’t worry. The boys love this place, I know that for a fact.’

Van Dijk claimed last night that his comments had been ‘taken out of context’. The Dutchman said: ‘Let me be clear, I am fully committed to the club. I love the club and the fans.

‘It’s not about me, it’s about us. Nothing has changed. Five days ago we weren’t even speaking about my contract. It’s silly. But my focus is making sure this year is a very special year.’

Supporters are wary of what the future holds once Klopp departs at the end of the season

Pushed on Van Dijk’s future, Klopp added: ‘To shut the story down, I will say yes (he wants to stay). It’s just because somebody asked Virgil. He is a grown man with a family, four kids. He loves this club and is so happy to be here. But when the contract is ending, you start thinking.’

Meanwhile, the Liverpool boss explained comments made earlier in the season when he said the Reds were ‘lucky’ to not sign Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, when a joke made at a fan event was taken out of context. 

‘I forgot for 10 or 15 minutes that I am a public person, so I thought, “Oh no, that will create a lot of headlines!”,’ he said ahead of the teams’ clash at Anfield. 

‘The whole market for No 6s went up. Two No 6s left our club. The market heated up. We thought we could maybe do Caicedo. We’d already done Alexis Mac Allister. So we went in, but he had an emotional agreement with Chelsea and Pochettino.

Klopp reassured fans that the club was stable amid fears the squad could be dismantled

‘Then we found our top solution. That’s what I meant when I said, “We are lucky”. We found Wataru Endo. All the time we had Stefan Bajcetic. If one £100million signing had worked, there’s no chance to do another. That’s what I meant when I said we are so lucky.’

Liverpool explored the option of former sporting director Michael Edwards returning to the club, but he turned it down.

Mike Gordon, president of owners Fenway Sports Group, called Edwards to float the idea of him taking a more senior role to oversee the club’s restructure. But he is said to want a new challenge.