Liverpool -captain Virgil van Dijk had to present Alan Hansen, who was taken seriously ill last year, to present him the Premier League trophy in Anfield on Sunday
Virgil van Dijk was adamant that the Premier League trophy had to be handed over from one large Liverpool captain to the other.
It was Van Dijk's idea for Alan Hansen, the last Liverpool -skipper to eliminate the competition title for an Anfield -Mixte in 1990, to be present to present him the trophy for fans who had waited 35 years to see it.
Reds icon Hansen, who was taken seriously ill last year, was welcomed on the field before he handed the trophy to Van Dijk to start a party that continues until Monday with a huge parade on Merseyside.
“I was very determined to ensure that he would be the one who handed the trophy to me,” said Van Dijk.
“It was clear that he was sick last year. I am happy that he looks good now and yes, I was really happy for him that he also got his moment at the cup because he completely earned it.”
In 2021 an image of Van Dijk meets Hansen after a Champions League collision with Atletico Madrid went viral after Jamie Carragher ever declared the largest centerbacks of Liverpool.
And they were back together on the field in Anfield to pose with the Premier League trophy, albeit after some soft conviction of Van Dijk.
During the weekend that old host Gary Lineker resigned from the competition of the day, former Pundit Hansen – who had held a low profile in 2014 – had to be taken back for the celebrations.
“I spoke with him when a few years ago there was a photo that I and he took,” continued Van Dijk, “and I wanted to get him here and to do the presentation with me.
“We didn't really spoke to it, but it was clear that everyone was behind the scenes, making it possible,” Van Dijk continued.
“But after the trophy lift I wanted after a few pictures that he was there. And apparently he went upstairs! So we have him back and I am happy that we got him on the field.”
The image of a radiant Hansen who holds the trophy up with Van Dijk in front of the head will forever have a place in the history of Reds, something that the skipper is sharply aware of.
Van Dijk has joined Hansen to an exclusive list of captains to lead Liverpool to their 20 League titles and is the first Dutchman to become a Premier competition extraction skipper.
Although Liverpool's competition success was packed a month ago, he admits that he is still absorbing it all.
“To participate in that list of 11 (Liverpool League Winning) Captains is something very special and I never dreamed of it,” he said.
“That is only because it was far, it was too far for me to think that this could happen.
“But everything is possible for everyone, as long as you continue to believe, keep working hard and put it step by step.
“I am happy that I have succeeded in writing history with my team, with the club and as a Dutchman, and hopefully more will come.”