Virgil van Dijk has expressed his enthusiasm for playing for Liverpool in the upcoming season, with this pre-season expected to be the largest in recent years
The Dutch international revealed to the Irish Examiner that noises around the Liverpool camp indicate that pre-season will be intense this summer, with Jurgen Klopp expected to whip his squad back into shape to challenge for the Premier League title.
Liverpool are expected to finish fifth in the Premier League this season and miss out on UEFA Champions League football, but there is a genuine buzz around the club about what could happen next season, and a good pre-season can serve as a springboard for such a year.
Indeed, new signings are expected, particularly in central midfield, and Van Dijk, the Liverpool centre-back, is excited for what’s to come this season, both on and off the pitch, as pre-season approaches.
“From what I’m hearing, it’s going to be a very intense pre-season with a lot of physical work but also a lot of tactical work trying to get ready for a tough season,” Van Dijk said. That is extremely exciting. Players are leaving, and hopefully new players will arrive in time for preseason to begin.”
The pre-season for Liverpool could be the catalyst for real change.
A strong pre-season can often set the tone for a strong season for a club, and Liverpool will be hoping to do just that this year, with new signings and an evolved tactical system from Klopp the two key factors that will propel the Reds forward this summer.
Fresh faces alone may not be enough to re-energize the team, but pre-season training and an intense schedule designed to get Liverpool back on track may be just what Van Dijk and the team need to return to their world-class best for next year.
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