Virgil van Dijk has revealed that he was the mastermind behind the idea to ask Liverpool icon Alan Hansen to walk out the Premier League trophy.

The former defender, who was ill last year, handed the trophy to Van Dijk after Liverpool drew with Crystal Palace on Sunday.

“I was very determined to make sure that he was going to be the one who handed the trophy to me,” Van Dijk said.



I am also happy that Mark and Jo from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, who I’ve worked with quite a lot over the last years, were able to bring the trophy out.

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“Alan Hansen is one of the greatest centre-backs this club has ever seen.

I’m glad he’s looking well now.

“After the trophy lift and we took some pictures, I wanted him to be there.