Virgil van Dijk has revealed Jurgen Klopp gave him a rollicking during Liverpool’s stunning Champions League victory over Bayern Munich earlier this season.
The PFA Player of the Year spoke exclusively to talkSPORT’s Laura Woods ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid.
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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 he’s 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.
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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 world’s 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.
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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. That’s 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, I’m there to protect him, but I didn’t.
“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.
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Virgil van Dijk sat down for an exclusive chat with talkSPORT’s Laura Woods
“I think he’s definitely up there with the best coaches I’ve had, [Ronald] Koeman was also a very important factor in my career and still is.”
“I’ve 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 club’s history.
Tune into talkSPORT for LIVE commentary of the Champions League final – Sat 1 March, KICK OFF: 20:00 GMT
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. I’ve had a lot of experience over the last year.
“I think as a central defender you grow as a player.
“There’s still more to come. There’s always things to improve, you can’t be satisfied with what you have.
“You have to keep working. I will definitely look at it when I’m having my holiday this summer.”
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