Virgil van Dijk hopes that he has "kept carrying on" the Liverpool values that Jurgen Klopp and Jordan Henderson taught him - and urged whoever follows him in a leadership role to make that their priority.

The Dutchman's arrival was the catalyst for Liverpool's recent success, claiming the Champions League trophy 18 months after he signed. He came into a team that was led by Klopp with Henderson his lieutenant on the pitch. Van Dijk would assume that role once the England midfielder left.

He led the Reds to a second Premier League title last term, but insists the cornerstone of everything at Liverpool is graft and a desire to give back to the fans.

They go into the current campaign as defending champions, which began with five successive wins, before back-to-back losses saw Arsenal assume top spot. Van Dijk maintains that remaining the "biggest club" in the country is the ultimate aim among the players.

Speaking to Reach, he said: "The most important thing is the culture of the club, that never changes. That is the most important thing to keep at Liverpool. There are values at the club that everyone has to follow. It all starts with these values, working hard and doing it for the fans from all around the world and hopefully you can be successful.

"The quality is there but the guarantees are not, so you have to work for it each and every day first and foremost to do it in the games. You know since I have been at the club, from the day I walked in, obviously with Jurgen (Klopp) as the manager and Hendo (Jordan Henderson) as the captain, the values that they showed me back then I wanted to keep carrying on.

"That is how it should be for the next few years and whatever happens after I finally have to go. There is the Liverpool way and that is the key and the start to our success I would say.

"Being the biggest club [in England] is definitely the aim from the club and definitely from us as players as well. We love to be [champions] and staying on the top as well, but I think the Premier League is so, so difficult."

Van Dijk could well be a serial Premier League winner had it not been for Manchester City, who denied them twice in titanic title races. The defender has seen them retain their crown on numerous occasions and knows it is a box he and the players still need to tick.

"To retain the title after winning it is such a difficult thing. We didn't manage to do it after winning it last time (in 2020), Manchester City managed to do it but it is such a difficult thing," he said.

Cadbury Ambassador Virgil Van Dijk is celebrating Game Changers up and down the country and recognising those who offer small acts that make a big difference. To find out more head to @cadburyuk on Instagram.

Virgil van Dijk reveals non-negotiable for all Liverpool team-mates while he's at the club - The Mirror