Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has revealed that he flew to Liverpool to speak to Virgil van Dijk about his future after the defender’s comments sparked concern.
De Telegraaf cover comments from the Netherlands boss today on the Liverpool star and the special conversation they had about his international future.
Van Dijk sparked suggestions that he could be ready to quit international football earlier this year following the Netherland’s defeat to England in the semi-final of Euro 2024.
He made it clear that he planned to think carefully about his future in the game, insisting that this was on a club level and international level too.
That hinted he may be ready to move on from both, a concern in particular for Liverpool given the defender’s contract expires next summer.
They’re yet to speak to Van Dijk about an extension according to reports but it seems the Netherlands, and Koeman, showed no such hesitation.
De Telegraaf reports that Koeman flew to Liverpool ‘especially’ for Van Dijk, holding talks with his captain about his international future. And it seems that effort has convinced the Liverpool star to continue.
“I noticed how Virgil was feeling, so I thought it was very important to visit him,” Koeman explained.
“But he indicated that he wants to give it another two years, towards the World Cup. I also have that feeling about him, even though he did not reach his level at the last European Championship.
“He has done that (captaincy) very well and we also discussed how he can manage that better in combination with his own game. It is very positive that he stands for the group like this, but you have to reach your own level first.
“That’s the most important thing. He felt that he was too concerned with others, he said. But it is not without reason that he was chosen for the best Premier League team.”
