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Virgil van Dijk emphasizes the need for new leaders at Liverpool following the departures of key players like Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. He stresses that current players must step up to fill the leadership void in the upcoming season.
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Whatever happens over the summer, following the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson Liverpool in 2026-27 will have almost no strong connections to the JĂŒrgen Klopp era left at the club beyond Alisson Becker and captain Virgil van Dijk.
A handful of late period signings may remain, but the core that won so much and whose battles with Manchester City defined an era in the Premier League will be gone. The question now is what comes next, and who the leaders of a new-look Liverpool will be.
Itâs a difficult question and, on after a highly disappointing season that has seen questions about leadership both on the pitch and from the coaching staff where it all must start for a successful side, the answers donât seem entirely clear. At least from the outside.
âPlayers will have to step up,â Van Dijk said when asked about losing more of his long-time teammates and that seemingly uncertain future. âYou grow into that role or you already have it in you but that is something we have to show even more next season.
âAfter the World Cup, in pre-season, it will be an interesting development in terms of how the manager sees the group as well, and then we have to tackle the season in the best way possible and not have a season like we have had this season again.â
Itâs the players on the pitch who are always most visible whether one ask questions about performance or leadership, but the standards are ultimately set by the coaching staffâand in turn theyâre working with the players given to them by the recruitment team.
On that front, there are questions about not just head coach Arne Slotâs ability for man management this season but also about the players signed last summer by directors Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards and if they would have made it in a Klopp-era squad.
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are the key players expected to leave Liverpool in 2026-27.
Virgil van Dijk stated that players will have to step up and show leadership as the team transitions after losing long-time teammates.
Liverpool's disappointing season has raised questions about leadership both on the pitch and from the coaching staff, highlighting the need for new leaders.

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Certainly last summerâs big money signings tick the talent boxes, but talent is only the first step towards success; the first building block for a side wanting to compete on all fronts. And watching these Reds regularly get out-worked, itâs hard not to ask questions.
âYou have to ask that question to the guys higher up,â Van Dijk added when asked about the role of squad construction in creating a side with strong leadership qualities. âThe leadership boys are falling apart in terms of players leaving so new players will have to step up.
âWeâll have see what the guys making the decisions are going to do, but Iâm pretty sure that everyone has the right intentions to try to make us as a club competitive and to hopefully not have another season like weâve been having this season.â