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Virgil van Dijk has just signed a new deal with Liverpool(Image: AP)

Virgil van Dijk was taking care of business last week - but the Dutchman didn’t forget the responsibilities that come with being Liverpool captain.

Van Dijk’s delight at sealing a new two-year contract was kept in-house because he didn’t want the news to detract from the emotions of the club remembering the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

A few days earlier, the 33-year-old centre-back had taken the full acclaim of the Kop after heading home the late winner against West Ham before meeting up with Sean Cox, the Liverpool fan from Ireland who was left with life-changing injuries after being mindlessly attacked by Roma hooligans in 2018.

Remembering the past is important at Liverpool - even when you are looking towards a future that will start with Van Dijk becoming the club’s first captain in 35 years to lift the Premier League trophy aloft in a stadium packed with supporters.

Van Dijk said: “Sean was disabled in an attack around a game against AS Roma a few years back.

This club means so incredibly much to people.

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“Since playing for Liverpool, I have heard and read more and more about Hillsborough over the years.

One of the assurances Van Dijk sought during negotiations was that the club will build for the future.

Van Dijk is about to add a second title medal to the Champions League, FA Cup and two EFL Cups he has won during his first six-and-a-half years on Merseyside, with Liverpool needing just a point from their clash with Tottenham to be crowned champions.

Liverpool have continued to remember those who died at Hillsborough(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

When Jordan Henderson accepted the Premier League trophy five years ago, the pandemic meant Anfield was empty.

I have never made a secret of how immensely proud I am to be captain of Liverpool, how I consider that a privilege every day.”

Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk laid a wreath at the Hillsborough memorial this month(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Van Dijk added: “In my opinion, the story is not yet finished.

Whatever is going to happen with players coming or leaving, I think this is going to be a very important summer for the club.

“I am convinced that the club management see it that way too - and we have to trust that they are going to do that in a good way.
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