Van Dijk's plea to supporters comes against a backdrop of protests about ticket price increases. The atmosphere at Anfield has been strained recently, with fewer flags and banners on display on the Kop for Saturday's Premier League victory over Fulham, while fans have also been boycotting food and drink outlets inside the stadium.
The captain acknowledged the friction between the fanbase and the club's hierarchy, supporting the supporters' rights to voice their displeasure. "I think the fans are the heart and soul of the club and if they feel like this, to protest, obviously it's their right," he noted. "Hopefully they come to a solution with the club, but these things are far above me as the captain of the club. In my opinion our fans are the club and have always been, before my time, after my time. It's important that these things get solved because it benefits no-one."