Virgil van Dijk EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool star recalls half-time hammering from Jurgen Klopp and opens up on relationship

Virgil van Dijk EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool star recalls half-time hammering from Jurgen Klopp and opens up on relationship
Virgil van Dijk has revealed Jurgen Klopp gave him a rollicking during Liverpools stunning Champions League victory over Bayern Munich earlier this season.The PFA Player of the Year spoke exclusively to talkSPORTs Laura Woods ahead of Saturdays Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid.getty3

Jurgen Klopp almost always approaches Virgil van Dijk first after Liverpool matches

In the interview Van Dijk opened up on his thriving relationship with the Reds boss, hailing Klopp as one of the best coaches hes ever worked with.And the secret behind their close bond? They are not afraid to be truthful with each other.Back in March, Liverpool claimed one of the biggest wins of their campaign as they dumped Bayern out of the last-16 of the European Cup. It was only the second time the German giants had lost at home all season, but Van Dijk says Klopp was fuming at half-time with the game locked at 1-1.Sadio Mane opened the scoring in Munich with an impeccable chip over Manuel Neuer following an outstanding pass from Dutch defender, but Bayern levelled just before the break when a shot from Serge Gnabry went in off Joel Matip.Andrew Robertson, hailed as one of the worlds top left-backs this season, was widely blamed for allowing the winger in around the back to latch on to a long pass forward.But Klopp knew better and instead aimed his full wrath at Van Dijk.getty3

Klopp is one of the Premier League’s most animated managers on the touchline

The centre-back explained to talkSPORT: I have a good relationship with him [Klopp] because he just tells you the truth and I will tell him the truth. Thats something I really appreciate.Sometimes when there is a mistake I did, that no one else sees, he will tell me.For example, away at Bayern Munich, they scored the equaliser from a ball behind Andy Robertson.Normally, Im there to protect him, but I didnt.It looked like Andy Robertson was in trouble, so they scored and nobody said it was me.But at half-time, the manager came in and shouted at me.talkSPORT3

Virgil van Dijk sat down for an exclusive chat with talkSPORT’s Laura Woods

I think hes definitely up there with the best coaches Ive had, [Ronald] Koeman was also a very important factor in my career and still is.Ive very grateful the boss bought me and got me to Liverpool.”It appeared to do the trick, with Van Dijk scoring the crucial second goal as Liverpool battled to a 3-1 triumph in Germany.It was one of their biggest wins on their road to Madrid, where they will face Tottenham on Saturday for the chance to be crowned European champions for the sixth time in the clubs history.

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Tune into talkSPORT for LIVE commentary of the Champions League final – Sat 1 March, KICK OFF: 20:00 GMT

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He just tells you the truth and I will tell him the truth.Sometimes theres a mistake that I did that no one else saw but hed tell me.At Bayern Munich I made a mistake and he shouted at me! #LFCs @VirgilvDijk discusses his relationship with Jrgen Klopp pic.twitter.com/SJ8AeoCJlH— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 30, 2019

Van Dijk has had an outstanding campaign, earning him a whole host of individual awards, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Liverpool Players Player of the Year and Liverpool Fans’ Player of the Year.But the 27-year-old insists he is still not the finished article.He said: I think I have improved on every aspect of my game. Ive had a lot of experience over the last year.I think as a central defender you grow as a player.Theres still more to come. Theres always things to improve, you cant be satisfied with what you have.You have to keep working. I will definitely look at it when Im having my holiday this summer.

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