Virgil van Dijk's message to team-mates as 'leadership boys' prepare to leave Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk's message to team-mates as 'leadership boys' prepare to leave LiverpoolThe Liverpool captain is calling on less experienced players to take more responsibility when Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leave Anfield in the summerCommentsSportAndy Dunn Chief Sports Writer12:00, 22 Apr 2026Updated 12:00, 22 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesVirgil van Dijk has called on players to 'step up' when senior team-mates leave this summer(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Even though he was only 26 when he left for Madrid last summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of Liverpool’s leaders at the time. He had been appointed vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp in 2023. He was an influential voice in the dressing-room.‌This summer, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah - with 18 years of Anfield experience between them - are leaving. The Anfield dressing-room will be saying goodbye to a lot of know-how, which is why Virgil van Dijk is hoping the less experienced players will take on more responsibility next season.‌The Liverpool captain said: “Players have to step up. You grow into that (leadership) role or you already have it in you. That is something players have to show even more next season.‌“After the World Cup, in pre-season, it will be an interesting development in terms of how the manager sees it 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.”READ MORE: Everton ballboy left Liverpool fans stunned after Mohamed Salah's derby strikeREAD MORE: Liverpool news: Arne Slot's future made clear as Reds icon tipped for Anfield returnEven though Arne Slot’s side won the Premier League, there was a lot of change in the summer but Van Dijk would not commit to the need for another reset. He said: “You have to ask the question to the guys higher up."The leadership boys are falling apart – in terms of players leaving – so players have to step up and see what the...