Virgil van Dijk confident Liverpool can attract players without Champions League – Liverpool FC

Virgil van Dijk doesn’t consider lacking out on Champions League soccer makes Liverpool any much less enticing to potential new signings.

The last-gasp 1-1 draw at residence to Aston Villa all-but ended the membership’s unlikely pursuit of a top-four place as they now require both Newcastle or Manchester United to lose each their remaining matches.

It’s the remotest of potentialities however as switch planning is nicely superior and with Liverpool’s desired rejuvenation of their midfield no secret, Van Dijk insists gamers is not going to be deterred from becoming a member of even when they face the prospect of taking part in Europa League soccer.

“Clearly the probabilities to achieve Champions League soccer have been fairly slim however now it makes it harder,” mentioned the Netherlands captain.

“Pre-season will likely be large. I’m very excited for subsequent season. I believe that feeling got here a few months in the past once we turned the web page.

“Clearly there’s nonetheless quite a bit to work on however the good factor on this case is that we’ve got the entire pre-season to work on this and that’s positively the plan.

“The noises I’m listening to, it’s going to be a really intense pre-season with numerous bodily work but additionally numerous tactical work attempting to prepare for a troublesome season.

“Gamers are leaving, hopefully gamers are available in and will likely be prepared for the beginning of pre-season.

“All people is aware of we’ve been going by somewhat little bit of a transition and, if I’m a participant on the rise and I’ve choices to go to the subsequent step and Liverpool is knocking on my door, then I might be very .

“I don’t assume it’s going to vary a lot however, if somebody desires to play Champions League it doesn’t matter what then that’s their ambition.”

Whereas the draw was not the ship off they wished to offer their departing quartet of gamers, there was the becoming second of Roberto Firmino coming off the bench to attain an 89th-minute equaliser on his ultimate look in entrance of the Kop.

The Brazil worldwide will depart subsequent month when his contract expires, together with midfielders James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, and leaves an enormous gap to fill having been an integral a part of Jurgen Klopp’s game-plan.

January signing Cody Gakpo seems his heir-apparent, having carried out the central false 9 position within the majority of his appearances.

Compatriot Van Dijk admits it is going to be unimaginable to exchange Firmino however thinks Gakpo will develop into the position.

“Bobby (Firmino) has been a really massive a part of the objectives and the assists, along with Sadio (Mane) and Mo (Salah), and that creates the headlines,” he mentioned.

“However all the opposite stuff that the opposite three have been doing as nicely shouldn’t go unnoticed and that’s why they’re very revered inside the group and likewise Liverpool followers.

“I believe it’s a really troublesome position to play and I believe Cody’s doing distinctive. He’s nonetheless studying, nonetheless adapting. For my part, Bobby has been the most effective on this position.

“Cody, it’s his first six months and he’s already doing so nicely, in order that’s a constructive signal and he has to maintain going, preserve each toes on the bottom – and take heed to me!”