Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk recently admitted that he had offers from several Premier League top clubs, including Manchester City and Chelsea, while playing with Southampton. According to Van Dijk, he decided to reject them in favor of Liverpool due to the club’s manager Jurgen Klopp.
Back in 2017, Van Dijk was one of the most sought-after players in soccer after several successful seasons with Southampton. After months of speculations, he ended up at Anfield, becoming the most expensive defender in history at the time with a price tag of around $80 million.
“I had the chance to go to Chelsea and Man City,” said Van Dijk. “When you compare the clubs, you look at the history, the town, the current squad, their plans for the near future. But the most important thing you look at is the manager—and Jurgen Klopp is an important reason why I chose for Liverpool.”
Van Dijk added that Klopp’s energy and man-management are what sets him apart from other managers.
“Klopp gives you this great feeling. He is genuinely happy when you walk into the club in the morning. It may sound daft, but that really inspires you as a player,” he explained.
It is safe to say that Virgil Van Dijk made the right choice. Under Klopp, Van Dijk established himself as one of the best, if not the best, center backs in the game. He also managed to help the club get several trophies, including UEFA Champions League trophy last year and Premier League title this season.
