Virgil van Dijk Discusses His Liverpool Future and Reveals Transfer Preferences

Virgil van Dijk’s contract has entered its final 12 months but the Liverpool centre-half has seen no major developments regarding an extension as Mo Salah’s deal also winds down

Virgil van Dijk has confirmed that Liverpool are yet to offer him a new deal as his contract enters its final 12 months, as he called for the Reds to strengthen their squad this summer.

The Dutchman has been one of the pillars of the club’s success in recent years, joining in January 2018 when Jurgen Klopp spent a club-record fee to sign him. Van Dijk though could leave for nothing in a year’s time and admits there’s been no development on his future.

Liverpool have been reluctant to hand deals to players of Van Dijk’s age with the ex-Southampton man turning 33 recently. Usually they have only handed one-year deals out to such players, but the centre-half continues to operate at a high level.

Van Dijk has already shown signs of frustration when quizzed on his contract but was asked one again after Liverpool’s pre-season win over Sevilla. He confessed: “There are no changes at the moment.”

There had been fears of Van Dijk walking away from Anfield when Klopp opted to leave Merseyside. He made comments which hinted at a potential exit, but then u-turned and claim they were misinterpreted and underlined his commitment to the Premier League giants.

Then, speaking after the Netherlands were beaten by England in the last four of the Euros, he said: “I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international player.”

Liverpool have several major names with their contracts winding down – which could put them in a difficult predicament as the season draws on. Mohamed Salah too has a year remaining on his deal, as does Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The latter has been linked with a huge move to Real Madrid. He’s spent his entire career playing under Klopp and is an academy graduate. Arne Slot was always going to have to accept some kind of a rebuild but losing key figures will make that more challenging as he’s yet to make a signing.

Van Dijk said ahead of the league opener: “I am positive. I am confident. Obviously, I think we should make some signings based on how long the season will go but I think they are working behind the scenes and I am fully convinced, and trust the club, that they will do the right thing for us and get the best possible squad in order to compete in every competition that we are in.”