Virgil van Dijk says it was his idea to have Alan Hansen present Liverpool's Premier League trophy
Virgil van Dijk believes it was fitting that Anfield legend Alan Hansen presented him with the Premier League trophy as he reflected on joining an elite group of Liverpool captains.
It was the Dutch defender's idea to involve Hansen in Sunday's ceremony. The former Scotland centre-back was the last club skipper to lift the league championship in front of supporters in 1990.
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'I was very determined to make sure that he was going to be the one who handed the trophy to me,' Van Dijk said. 'I suggested it and I am happy it worked out. I am also happy that Mark and Jo from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, who I've worked with quite a lot over the last years, were able to bring the trophy out.
'Alan Hansen is one of the greatest centre-backs this club has ever seen. I'd met him before and had a little chat. He was ill last year. I'm glad he's looking well now.
'After the trophy lift and we took some pictures, I wanted him to be there. Apparently, he had already gone upstairs so they got him back. I was glad I got him on the pitch. He deserved that moment in front of the Kop.'
Van Dijk is the first Dutchman to captain a Premier League-winning team and just the 11th player to skipper Liverpool to a top-flight title. He follows in the footsteps of Jordan Henderson, Hansen, Graeme Souness, Phil Thompson, Emlyn Hughes, Tommy Smith, Ron Yeats, Willie Fagan, Donald MacKinlay, and Alex Raisbeck.
Van Dijk also paid tribute to Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian attacker was presented with the Premier League Golden Boot and Playmaker awards, having contributed 29 league goals and 18 assists.
'Ridiculous numbers,' he added. 'He's a fantastic player. I am really happy that me and Mo signed for another two years. We feel like we can still bring so much to the team. Mo had an amazing season. He gets the applause he deserves. If he wins the Ballon d'Or then I think no-one could argue. Maybe we have to go to Paris together!'
The Liverpool captain was also delighted with the send-off Trent Alexander-Arnold received from supporters as he made his final appearance for the club in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. 'I won't say it's a sad situation, but it's not a great situation for anyone,' Van Dijk said.
'We all wanted Trent to stay. He's outstanding. You saw again the quality he brings to the team. There is no debate. We're all gutted he's leaving. But he made that decision with his family that unfortunately his time at Liverpool has ended and we all have to deal with it. We will deal with it.
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'Today everyone understood the message that it was all about celebrating. I'm glad he got the farewell he deserved for everything he's done on the pitch.'
Van Dijk intends to keep celebrating until 'probably Thursday' before his focus shifts to linking up with the Netherlands squad next Tuesday for World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Malta. The memories of winning Liverpool's 20th top-flight title will act as 'fuel' come August when Arne Slot's side will attempt to defend their crown.
'Not being able to celebrate properly in 2020 (due to the pandemic) makes this even sweeter for the fans,' he added. 'We all have to celebrate special moments and this is definitely one of them. Winning the Premier League is not a given. We have to take some time to digest this. These things don't happen often.
'This has to give you motivation, give you fuel, give you that hunger to try to do it again. Man City did it many times in a row.
'I think it's the hardest thing to do to retain the title but we will see. We have the quality and I think the club is doing a lot of work behind the scenes to strengthen the squad as well. We'll have a good pre-season ahead of us, but first we will celebrate.'
(Photos:/Getty Images For The Premier League)
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