Virgil van Dijk issues emotional Andy Robertson and Mo Salah message after Liverpool announcement

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has posted an emotional message on social media thanking Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah for their contributions at Anfield over the years

Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk celebrate the former scoring for Liverpool against Wolves.(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has sent an emotional message to vice-captain Andy Robertson after the left-back followed Mohamed Salah in confirming that he will leave the Anfield side this summer.

Robertson confirmed on Thursday that he will depart when the season concludes. Last month, Salah had already outlined his intention to move on a year before his contract expires.

"Nine years... that's not just a chapter, that's a whole era," Van Dijk posted on social media. "And when you think about everything we've been through in that time, it's pretty incredible. We know all good things eventually come to an end... Through the highs, the pressure, the big moments, and the celebrations, you've been there every step of the way.

"Together, we've won everything. But more than the trophies, it's the memories, the battles, and the laughs along the way that we'll remember most. We've been through everything together, big wins and tough defeats.

"But no matter what was happening, when the whistle blew, we knew we could count on each other. You've both been more than teammates, leaders, brothers, and men we could always count on when it mattered most.

"So thank you both for the effort, the commitment, the laughs, and the memories. Thank you for helping us win everything, and for making the journey even better along the way.

"You came as teammates, you leave as legends... and more importantly, you leave as family."

It has been reported by The Athletic that Tottenham is the favorite to sign Robertson as a free agent in the summer. He nearly moved to Spurs in January only for that deal to break down at the last minute.

At that point, Robertson decided that it wasn't the right move for him. However, he could still sign for Spurs as long as Roberto de Zerbi keeps them in the Premier League.

"There was obviously interest there — there were discussions had with both sets of clubs," Robertson told reporters last month.

Andy Robertson could join Tottenham after his departure from Liverpool in the summer(Image: Getty Images)

"But the decision was that I wanted to stay. We stayed at Liverpool and that was the decision made.

"I was never not committed. I've been committed to Liverpool for the last eight and a half or nine years now and I'll be committed until I'm no longer needed. That's always been my mindset. This club has given me everything and I've given this club everything.

"It's been a fantastic relationship so hopefully that continues and obviously January happened, but it is now gone. Now we move forward and like I said, my focus never came off trying to help the lads on the pitch and in training."