As Virgil van Dijk’s contract negotiations with Liverpool continue, he acknowledges he has no idea what the future holds.
Along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool captain’s current contract expires at the end of the current campaign. He and the team have been in talks about an extension.
However, with Van Dijk allowed to arrange a summer move to overseas clubs from January and the center-back uncertain about his future at Anfield, Liverpool risk losing a £75 million signing on a free transfer.
“I can say that talks are obviously ongoing, but we’ll see what happens in the future,” he remarked. I want to win the games I have ahead of me, and that is all I have on my mind. I have no idea what the future holds right now. All I can say is that talks have begun; the rest is up to us.
Van Dijk will turn 34 in July, but he has been playing well, raising the possibility that he may continue to play at a high level for a while.
After Liverpool defeated Chelsea 2-1, he continued, saying, “I feel very good, mentally and physically, and I am having fun.” I’m not sure what the future holds, but we’re having the proper conversations with the right people, so I’m sure you guys will know when it’s time to decide or whatever. However, Liverpool and their goal of winning this season now have all of our attention and dedication. Thus, we shall see.
Since Jurgen Klopp left to become manager of Liverpool, Arne Slot has changed the team’s playing philosophy. As a result, Van Dijk believes that one of the main reasons Liverpool has the greatest defensive record in the Premier League this season is the number of players they have kept behind the ball.
Van Dijk clarified, saying, “I think that has absolutely changed. At the beginning of the season, we saw stats about what happens if your opponent is in the final third, how many bodies do we have behind the ball.
It’s a collective effort, so I wouldn’t say it’s [only] the last line and the goalkeepers making a difference—especially because it’s the guys in front of us. Ibou [Ibrahima Konate], the goalkeeper, and I know how it works: we, the center backs or goalkeepers, get the glory for the clean sheets, but the team as a whole deserves the credit for everyone’s contributions. And I’m pleased with the clean sheets, so maybe we can succeed this season and gain a lot more.”
