OPINION
Liverpool fans will surely be thrilled to know that Virgil van Dijk could be offered a new contract soon.
London Evening Standard journalist David Lynch has told Anfield HQ that even though the Dutchman’s current deal does not expire until 2023, he may well be offered fresh terms as the Reds aim to tie down some of their star players.
“Two who have plenty of time left on their contracts, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Virgil van Dijk, are also expected to be given the opportunity to extend their Anfield stay,” said Lynch.
Van Dijk has probably been the best player Liverpool have had since he joined the Merseyside club from Southampton in January 2018 for a deal worth £75million.
Jurgen Klopp was struggling to solve a defensive mess at Anfield and as soon as the Dutchman arrived at Anfield, most of those issues disappeared straight away.
Last season, the former Celtic defender was at his best as the Reds won the Champions League and finished second in the Premier League table.
He scored six goals in 50 appearances across all competitions, started every Premier League match and went on to win Liverpool’s player of the season award.
According to stats by WhoScored, he completed 89.7 per cent of his passes – a stat only bettered by midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum – and averaged one tackle and 5.2 clearances per Premier League outing.
If van Dijk comes anywhere near to the last two years of his contract then clubs are bound to try and sign the 27-year-old, who is only going to keep on improving over the next few years.
That is why it is so important that Liverpool get van Dijk to commit his future at Anfield even more than he has done already.
The Netherlands international has won the Champions League with the Merseyside club.
If he can help add a Premier League trophy to the trophy case at Anfield then he will be written into the club’s history forever.
