Virgil van Dijk has shown that Liverpool are yet to offer him a new contract as his contract enters its final year, as he called the Reds into his squad this summer.
The Dutchman has been one of the pillars of the club’s good fortune in recent years, joining the club in January 2018 when Jurgen Klopp spent a record amount to sign him. However, Van Dijk is likely to leave with nothing in a year’s time, and he admits there has been no progress on his future.
Liverpool have been reluctant to do deals with players of Van Dijk’s age, with the former Southampton player recently turning 33. Normally, they give those players one-year contracts, but the center back continues to perform at the highest level.
Van Dijk has in the past shown signs of frustration when asked about his contract, but was asked again after Liverpool’s pre-season win over Sevilla. He admitted, “There’s no replacement right now. “
Van Dijk was feared to move away from Anfield when Klopp opted to leave Merseyside. He made comments hinting at an exit but then turned around and claimed they were misinterpreted and underlined his commitment to the Premier League giants.
Then, speaking after the Netherlands lost to England in the quarter-finals of the European Championship, he said: “This summer I will think about what I need at club level and as an international player. “
Liverpool have several big names whose contracts are about to expire, which could put them in a difficult situation as the season progresses. Mohamed Salah also has one year left on his contract, as does Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The latter has been linked to a massive transfer to Real Madrid. He spent his entire career playing under Klopp and graduated from the academy. Arne Slot was going to have to accept some type of rebuild, but the loss of key figures will make it more complicated since he has not yet signed.
Van Dijk said before the first league game: “I’m positive, I’m confident. Obviously I think we deserve to draft based on the length of the season, but I think they’re behind the scenes and I’m completely convinced. “And I accept as truth with the club, that they will do whatever is necessary for us and get the best team to be able to participate in all the competitions in which we participate.
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