Programme notesVirgil van Dijk: It's going to be emotional - and let's make it special

The Anfield fixture will be the last of Jürgen Klopp’s remarkable reign as Reds manager, and also a farewell for several members of the coaching staff and players Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara.

In his programme notes for the game, captain Van Dijk explains his appreciation for those leaving the club and why it provides even more motivation for the season finale.

“Sunday is obviously a special day for everyone associated with Liverpool FC,” the No.4 says.

“The last game of the season is always a special occasion anyway, but this time around it will be even more poignant because we will also say goodbye to some incredible people who have given so much to this club.

“Everyone knows what I think about the gaffer. He is the manager who brought me to Liverpool, who gave me so much responsibility, who made me a big part of this team and who taught me so much. That is just on a personal level. For the team and the club as a whole he has done so much more and the difference between the Liverpool he took on to the one he is leaving behind could not be much greater.

“To put it into context, when he arrived here Liverpool was a club that longed to compete for trophies and aimed to be in the Champions League. When he departs it will be at the end of a season in which we won a trophy and qualified for the Champions League, but we are all asking ourselves whether it could have been even better. This is without even mentioning all of the success and incredible moments we enjoyed in between.

“Ever since the gaffer announced that he would leave at the end of the season I have been pretty open about the fact that Sunday will be a pretty tough day emotionally. Of course we are professional and will put all of that to one side as we try to end the campaign on a high, but at the same time it makes sense that we acknowledge what our feelings are going to be about people who mean so much to us.

“This is true of everyone we know to be leaving from members of the coaching staff – Pep, Vitor, Pete, John, Jack, the two Andreas and Ray – plus great players in Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara. The contribution each of these individuals has made to our club could not be overstated and as captain I know I speak for all of the lads when I say we could not be more appreciative of their efforts.

“There is not enough space in this programme for me to list their achievements, their impact and their value so I will just say that individually and collectively, as people and as professionals, they will all be missed.

“We never, ever need an additional incentive to win a game for this club, but we have one anyway so we may as well use it as there is no question that these guys deserve to go out on a high if at all possible.

• Pick up your copy of a special-edition programme at Anfield on Sunday

“We know that no matter what happens we cannot finish any higher or lower than third in the league, but there is more than enough motivation to go for the win, particularly as we will be playing in front of our own supporters at Anfield. I don’t care how long anyone is at Liverpool, if you are fortunate enough to play at this stadium in any game, you want to win it. Quite rightly, the supporters – and ourselves for that matter – wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The fact that the fans drive us on like this week in and week out at grounds all over the country and beyond, no matter what the circumstances, is something that always makes a massive difference.

“We felt it at Villa Park again on Monday night and there were times when it felt and sounded like a home game. I said afterwards that we really appreciate this support and I want to take the opportunity to underline that sentiment.

“After Sunday, it will be a couple of months or so before we are all back together again and there are going to be some changes in the meantime, but I hope everyone has a good summer whether they are staying with us or moving on.

“Sunday is the end of an era in many ways, but it is also the start of a new future in others so we should appreciate what we have had and look forward to what is still to come. For me, this starts with showing our gratitude to some incredible servants to this club and wishing them well. This is the least that they deserve.”