Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool faces a “big job” in replacing Jurgen Klopp when the German leaves at the end of the season.
Van Dijk is coming to grips with Klopp’s surprise decision to leave after the current season ends.
The Liverpool captain believes that worry about the club’s long-term status will not have an impact on their goals this season.
They defeated Norwich 5-2 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, their first game since Klopp’s shock announcement.
However, he understands that Liverpool must make the proper decision when selecting Klopp’s replacement.
“The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known,” Van Dijk told the club’s supporters.
“To replace not only the management, but the entire staff, and there will be so many changes.
“I’m quite intrigued about the course that will take, but until that is announced, we’ll see where we stand.
“It will be the conclusion of Jurgen Klopp’s era – I am still a part of it, which is why I don’t like to discuss it — and that is my primary focus.
“Hopefully we will have the success we all dream of and by then probably there will be more clarification about what the club wants for the future and then we will see.”
When asked if he considered himself as part of the coming era, Van Dijk replied: “That’s a big question. I do not know.”
Liverpool faces tougher testing on Klopp’s farewell tour, with Chelsea visiting on Wednesday before heading to Arsenal next weekend.
Dutch defender Van Dijk, 32, insists Liverpool’s attitude will remain unchanged as the Premier League leaders chase silverware in four tournaments.
“Nothing has actually changed. Obviously, things will change at the end of the season and in the next season, but not right now, and we must continue to do the same things,” he remarked.
“It’s easier said than done, but I have the impression that the rest of the boys feel the same way, and it is my responsibility to guarantee that we maintain that attitude.
“We are all human beings with emotions – some players react differently to the manager’s news than others.
“That’s completely normal because everyone thinks differently, but I didn’t observe any decline in professionalism or standards.
“The training sessions I have seen in the last couple of days were not different than before.”