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Van Dijk Desperate to Give Klopp Fitting Finale at Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk (left) is hoping to give Jurgen Klopp (right) the perfect send off as Liverpool manager - AFP
Virgil van Dijk (left) is hoping to give Jurgen Klopp (right) the perfect send off as Liverpool manager - AFP
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Van Dijk Desperate to Give Klopp Fitting Finale at Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk (left) is hoping to give Jurgen Klopp (right) the perfect send off as Liverpool manager - AFP
Virgil van Dijk (left) is hoping to give Jurgen Klopp (right) the perfect send off as Liverpool manager - AFP

Virgil van Dijk said the news of Jurgen Klopp's departure from Liverpool at the end of the season was "hard to take", but the Reds' captain is hoping to send his manager out on a high.

Liverpool are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and in the running for three more trophies in the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.

Klopp announced his shock decision to step down on Friday, explaining that he no longer has the energy to keep going after nearly nine years in charge at Anfield.

"It's a hard one to take, because the manager means so much for us, to me, to the club, to the whole Premier League I think," said Van Dijk, who was brought to Liverpool by Klopp for a then world record £75 million fee for a defender in 2018.

"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."

Liverpool host Norwich in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday at what is sure to be an emotionally-charged Anfield in the first match since the news broke, AFP reported.

Klopp's men this week also reached the League Cup final, where they will face Chelsea next month, and are the favorites for the Europa League having already qualified for the last 16.

"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?" Van Dijk said.

"Let's make the rest of the season a special one so he can have the farewell that he definitely deserves."

Liverpool are keen to avoid the fate suffered by Manchester United in 2001/02 when the Red Devils struggled after Alex Ferguson announced his intention to retire, only for the Scot to later change his mind and stay on at Old Trafford for another decade.

Klopp insisted there will be no change of heart on his decision and Van Dijk believes it could give his players extra motivation in what remains of the campaign

"It will maybe even give you an extra boost to do that extra (bit) or maybe enjoy it a little bit even more together," added the Dutchman.

"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."

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Frustrated Barca Fail to Capitalize on Atletico La Liga Slip

FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick looks on ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona, in Madrid, Spain, 18 January 2025. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick looks on ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona, in Madrid, Spain, 18 January 2025. (EPA)
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Frustrated Barca Fail to Capitalize on Atletico La Liga Slip

FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick looks on ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona, in Madrid, Spain, 18 January 2025. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick looks on ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona, in Madrid, Spain, 18 January 2025. (EPA)

Barcelona could only muster a 1-1 draw at Getafe on Saturday in La Liga as they were unable to recover ground on the top two in the Spanish title race.

Jules Kounde sent the visitors ahead early on but Mauro Arambarri levelled for Getafe in the first half and Barcelona could not break down Jose Bordalas' well-drilled side.

The draw leaves the third-place Catalans five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who lost 1-0 at Leganes earlier in the day, but Hansi Flick's side could not take advantage.

After a slump in the final weeks of 2024, Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup last week and then thumped Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, indicating they were back to their best.

However, they dropped two points on the road in their first league match of 2025 as Getafe, 16th, scrapped their way to a hard-fought point.

"It's not done yet, we still have some matches to play and as I said before, we will fight until the end," Flick told reporters.

"Today it's one point more, not two points less. We missed (out on) two points, but we have to look forwards and make it better next time."

Flick selected what has proven his strongest side in recent weeks to try and get a result at Getafe, against whom the Catalans failed to score on their previous four away visits.

The Blaugrana did not have to wait long to end that run, with Kounde finding the net in the ninth minute.

The French defender, who also scored in the Copa del Rey win against Real Betis in midweek, was cleverly fed by Pedri.

Although David Soria saved Kounde's first effort, he was able to turn the rebound home.

However, after that Barcelona came up against the same old struggles they have often faced at the Coliseum.

Getafe dug deep and did not allow striker Robert Lewandowski, La Liga's top scorer, room to breathe.

The hosts pulled level after 34 minutes when Coba's effort was parried by Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena, but Arambarri pounced to nudge home.

Getafe maintained their typically tight set-up after the break and made life hard for Barcelona.

Raphinha should have struck for Barca in the final minutes but hit the side netting from close range after Lamine Yamal found him with a swirling cross.

"It was a shame, the match, we had control of the game and with one chance they scored one goal against us, it's a shame," Kounde told Movistar.

After the game Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde reported racist abuse aimed at him in the first half from some home supporters.

On Sunday Spanish and European champions Real Madrid, second, host Las Palmas, aiming to move top of La Liga.

Antoine Griezmann missed a late penalty as leaders Atletico Madrid stumbled to a shock defeat at Leganes, ending a club record run of 15 consecutive victories.

Matija Nastasic nodded Leganes ahead early in the second half, with Griezmann dragging a poor penalty wide in the final stages to resign Atletico to a second defeat of the league season.

"I thought we were low on energy, it wasn't enough from us," Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told DAZN.

"We'll keep our head up after (winning) 15 games, we lost this one and we have to keep going forwards... unfortunately the streak is over."

Madrid minnows Leganes, 15th, battled well in defense to keep Atletico at bay in the first half, with Julian Alvarez and Griezmann hitting the woodwork.

Early in the second half, Serbian defender Nastasic headed Leganes in front from a corner, and they protected their advantage without much stress until controversially conceding a penalty for a debatable handball by Sergio Gonzalez.

Griezmann took responsibility from the penalty spot, but rolled his 90th-minute effort wide of the goal.

Atletico must now bounce back in the Champions League, where they are aiming to reach the knock-out rounds, against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

"They were 15 extraordinary games, I feel enormously proud at having set the (consecutive) winning record in Atletico's history," Atletico coach Diego Simeone told DAZN.

"We have to accept that defeat is part of the game and prepare ourselves for Tuesday."