VAN DIJK'S A HISTORY MAN

VIRGIL VAN DIJK was taking care of business last week - but the Dutchman didn't forget the responsibilities that come with being Liverpool captain.

- by SIMON MULLOCK

His 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 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.