Virgil van Dijk previously said the lure of playing Jurgen Klopp led to him rejecting the opportunity to sign for Manchester City. During his time at Southampton, the Dutchman was one of the most sought-after defenders in world football with City, Liverpool and Chelsea are clamouring for his signature.
However, it was the Reds that won the race in January 2018 as they signed Van Dijk in a £75million deal, making him the world's most expensive defender. In the eight years he's been at Anfield, the 34-year-old has won eight major honours including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He's also accrued a plethora of individual accolades but it's a reality that could have never happened as Van Dijk previously revealed his opportunity to join forces with Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Van Dijk said: "I had the chance to go to Chelsea and Man City. When you compare the clubs, you look at the history, the town, the current squad, their plans for the near future. But the most important thing you look at is the manager – and Jurgen Klopp is an important reason why I chose for Liverpool.
"Klopp has something special. Is it his energy? Is it his overall image? I sometimes sit and think about what he does and what he has more than others. I think it is his man-management. These days that is more important than anything in football."
Van Dijk talked up Klopp's ability to inspire and his ability to man manage a squad as he added: "Klopp gives you this great feeling. He is genuinely happy when you walk into the club in the morning. It may sound daft, but that really inspires you as a player.
"He gives every player a hug after the game. It might be a really small detail, yet it feels good for every player. And the next day, he can hammer you in front of the squad in training. But then you accept that too. Because you know it is not personal. That way he can demand a lot from us."
Liverpool and City have enjoyed many battles over the past decade as the next edition of their rivalry takes place on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in Manchester. The Reds will face a familiar figure in ex-Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders who will take charge of City due to Guardiola's two-match touchline ban.
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