Virgil van Dijk has revealed it was his idea to ask Alan Hansen to present the Liverpool team with the Premier League trophy on Sunday
Comments0
Sport
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (R) and former skipper Alan Hansen (L) pose with the Premier League trophy at the end of the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 25, 2025.
Liverpool legends Alan Hansen and Virgil van Dijk with the Premier League trophy
(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk has revealed it was his idea to ask Alan Hansen to be part of Liverpool's Premier League trophy lift ceremony. The Reds skipper said it was fitting the Anfield icon was involved.
Hansen was the last captain to lift the league title in front of supporters at Anfield back in 1990 and he was present on Sunday to hand current captain Van Dijk the championship itself after the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
The decision to invite the 69-year-old, who was hospitalised last year with a serious illness, was widely praised by the club's fanbase and Van Dijk has now explained how it was he who asked if the legendary Scot might like to be involved in the festivities.
READ MORE: Liverpool transfers imminent amid Milos Kerkez tease as scenes speak volumesREAD MORE: Liverpool poignant scenes will leave FSG in no about about exciting next Arne Slot chapter
“I was very determined to make sure he was going to be the one who handed the trophy to me," Van Dijk said. "Yes I did (suggest it). I am happy it worked out.
"I'm also happy that Mark and Jo from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, who I have worked with the last few years, were able to also join in.
"I think he (Hansen) has been one of the greatest centre-backs the club has ever seen. I had a little chat with him before, obviously he was ill last year and I'm glad he is looking well now and I was really happy for him to get his moment in front of the Kop as he deserved it too.
Article continues below
“I spoke to him when there was a picture coming out years ago that me and him took. When I was very keen on getting him here to do the presentation with me we didn't speak before that but after the trophy lift, after a couple of pictures I wanted him to be there but he was already upstairs. So they got him back and I got him on the pitch as he deserved this moment."
Asked how the experience was different to July 2020, when Liverpool lifted the title in front of no fans at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp, Van Dijk added: "It was very chaotic [in 2020]. An open game (beat Chelsea 5-3), no fans, but the feeling was incredible, my first Premier League trophy. We were absolutely outstanding the whole year.
"It makes it even sweeter for fans this year that we can all celebrate. You have to celebrate special moments and this is definitely one of them. Winning the Premier League is not a given, Manchester City did it many times in a row. For us this is an incredible feeling.
"Obviously we had to play a good game of football that was not a good game of football (against Palace). Many things happened and unfortunately we could not win in these last four games but we are the well-deserved champions, no-one can take it away from us.
"We deserved it, we have to enjoy it until a certain point and then be completely focused on how we attack next season. (The cut-off date is) probably Thursday.
"I meet up with the national team on Tuesday so it will give me plenty of time to recover. You have to take some time to digest this as these things don't happen that often – I'm a real big believe in taking your time to enjoy it.
“It hasn't really sunk in yet. It will (sink in) when the internationals are one and I go on holiday and have some time to reflect on how this season went. To join that list of captains, I think it is 11, that did it is something really special.
"I've never dreamed about it, only because it was too far for me to think that this could happen. That's also the beauty of it, that anything is possible as long as you keep believing, keep working hard and take things step by step. I am glad I've managed to write history with my team and club as a Dutchman and hopefully there is more to come.
"This has to give you motivation, give you fuel, give you that hunger to try to do it again. I think it's the hardest thing to do to retain the title but we will see.
Article continues below
"We have the quality and I think the club is doing a lot of work behind the scenes to strengthen the squad as well. We'll have a good pre-season ahead of us. But first we will celebrate. Then internationals, then I'll completely switch off on holidays. Off season, pre-season, Community Shield and then back on it."