Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk was asked about the potential departure of his vice-captain Andy Robertson after the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth
Virgil van Dijk says he wants Andy Robertson to stay at Liverpool as talks remain ongoing with Tottenham Hotspur over a potential move before the end of the January transfer window.
Robertson had been in negotiations with Liverpool over a new contract before the surprise advance from Spurs earlier this week. The two clubs are now locked in discussions with no decision made as of yet.
The Reds recognise and respect their vice-captain's decorated service he has given to the club across the past eight-and-a-half years and it's understood the Scotland captain wants to play regular first-team football ahead of a first World Cup since 1998 for his nation later this year.
OPINION
Club captain Van Dijk says he has spoken with his deputy about the situation and wants to see the long-serving left-back remain on Merseyside for the remainder of the campaign at least.
"Of course I speak to him," Van Dijk said. "I speak to him every day, he’s my vice-captain. Robbo is a very important member of our team and I want him to stay but whatever happens, let’s see.
"Do I expect him to be here on Wednesday [for the Qarabag game]? That’s not on me, is it? Let’s speak about [my best memories of him] when [a move] happens."
Van Dijk was speaking after Liverpool's 13-game unbeaten sequence came to an end via a 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth.
Amine Adli scored with the last kick of the game after the Reds had responded to goals from Evanilson and Alex Jimenez through the skipper's header and a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick.
The setback was a potentially sizable one in their aims of securing a place in next season's Champions League and Van Dijk admits tiredness played a factor after a 3-0 Champions League win at Marseille earlier in the week.
The centre-back added: "What can explain tiredness? What do you think? Last season we did not have many injuries. Look at the last line in the last minutes of the game, that says quite a lot.
"Tiredness, yeah. Listen, they created chances because we were very open at times. If you then don’t make the right decision in possession, you can get counter-attacked.
"I don’t start to worry personally [about the top-four race] But the matter of fact is about what we do in the week. We are trying to find consistency and we still don’t have it, that is something we need to focus on.
"We played Bournemouth who are very intense. When we only have myself and Wata (Wataru Endo) as the last two, if we lose the ball then there is a lot of space. We are having a difficult season in terms of ups and downs but now we have an opportunity on Wednesday to qualify for the top eight of the Champions League. That is our target but today is tough to take.
"It was tough. I'm disappointed. The first goal, I take full responsibility for that even though it was a very difficult ball to judge. In the second half, we tried to do that.
"The second goal, we can all speak and say we should have kicked the ball out, we should have done this. But to concede like that puts ourselves in a position where we have to work even harder than ever.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
"It was good that we scored before half-time but we fought so hard in the second half but did not create very big chances. We came in promising positions and eventually scored an equaliser but the throw-in in the end, it is difficult to take.
"First half, up until the first goal, I don’t think there was anything wrong in my feeling. The 1-0 and 2-0 in a very short space of time was a big blow, you have to fight back and be very strong mentally.
"The goal before half time helped, it gave us a big push. Second half we were obviously pushing a lot. We could not create open, big clear-cut chances, they created bigger chances because we were wide open at times trying to score our goal, that is the situation.
"The thing is, that is part and parcel. In the good times, these things happen as well, the other side of it. I am just as involved as everyone else. Today as well, unfortunately.
"I will always take that responsibility. Today is difficult because you lose, in a difficult season already. We have to turn that feeling around as quickly as possible to get the job done on Wednesday. That is the life.
"Last Wednesday we had a lot of praise, team and personal, and everything was all good. Today, the flip side, all the other things will be mentioned because it’s the life we live. We have to take responsibility and I will definitely take responsibility."