Virgil van Dijk sends a clear message to Trent Alexander-Arnold after he was booed by Liverpool fans for leaving for Real Madrid

Liverpool is the place to be despite Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit, insists captain Virgil van Dijk.

Vice-captain Alexander-Arnold last week announced his decision to leave the Anfield club after 20 years and was booed by supporters when introduced as a substitute midway through Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal yesterday.

But despite the right back orchestrating a move to Real Madrid – he is finalising terms on a long-term deal with the Spanish giants – Van Dijk reckons that there is no better club in the world and that the Reds will only get better next season.

‘For me there is no other place to be at this point,’ said the Dutchman. ‘Everyone shares different opinions and he feels like he has done it all – and he did it – and he wants to try something different.

‘You are speaking about one of the biggest clubs of all in Real Madrid, who he might go to as I read in the media! The decision is made. We are all gutted, players as well, as he is a fantastic player.

‘When the final whistle is there we will miss him after that but we still have two more games, the trophy lift and a parade so there are plenty of moments we can share together and then we will see what happens.

‘It has to be a big summer and I trust the club and the people who make the decisions to do the right thing. As champions it is a very difficult task to remain champions but I feel with additions we can make that step up.

‘We can have a proper pre-season, we can work on the things the manager wants us to do in ball possession and without ball possession, a lot of hard work will be done. It’s something to look forward to, it’s very exciting and it’s an exciting time to be associated with Liverpool.

‘Let’s see what happens but I fully trust the decision-makers to do the right things and let’s see what those right things are (laughing).’

Asked for his own thoughts on Alexander-Arnold’s decision and the jeers he received, Van Dijk added: ‘The manager said it right in the press conference that you can’t decide how anyone feels about the decision he made for him and his family.

‘The reaction happened. He has to deal with it. We as a team have to deal with that as well, by the way. But I think maybe he expected this. We have two more games and then we part ways and he will go somewhere else.

‘It’s not easy, not at all. We’re here for him anyway but I think the manager said it pretty well. You can’t decide how anyone’s feelings are based on this decision. He made his decision and he had peace with it.

‘It’s football. We all know how it works, how the players have to make decisions at times and do what they think is best for themselves and their families that they have. He made the decision for himself and he’s at peace with it.

‘We have to deal with it. The club has to deal with it and I think in the past the club dealt with it in very good ways as well. Like I said, we have two more games that he will have to play a part in as well. I’m sure will because he’s a fantastic player and then we’ll say goodbye to him.’