Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says he wants Virgil van Dijk to remain at the club beyond this season, amid doubts regarding his future.
The Dutchman still hasn’t signed a new Reds deal, ahead of the expiration of his current contract this summer, which is understandably concerning.
Speaking to reporters [via This Is Anfield] ahead of Liverpool’s EFL Cup final clash with Newcastle United on Sunday, Slot spoke of his desire for Van Dijk to extend his stay at Anfield.
“I don’t know what’s happening next season as well, in terms of results,” Slot joked.
“But that’s not what you mean.
“The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season. All the rest, talks about his contract, that’s not what I do over here.”
Will Van Dijk stay at Liverpool?
While Van Dijk is yet to commit his future to Liverpool, it does still feel more likely that he will stay put this summer, rather than move on for a fresh challenge.
The 33-year-old appears to be happy with the Reds, being on the verge of captaining them to Premier League glory this season, and hopefully, he is simply focusing on on-pitch matters for now.
The influence of Van Dijk at Liverpool has been quite remarkable, with no centre-back in the world impressing more since he arrived in 2018, with Jamie Carragher recently waxing lyrical over him, saying:
“He’s too good for the highest level of football. It’s almost like it’s still too easy for him. It almost feels like there should be another level above that for Van Dijk because he plays the game with such ease.
“I watched him here against Haaland – the best goalscorer around, a big, powerful lad who’s got pace – and it doesn’t even feel like [Van Dijk] is trying. Has he sprinted in the game tonight?”
Frankly, the idea of Van Dijk no longer being at Liverpool is grim, and if he did leave this summer, he would leave an unbelievable void at the heart of the defence.
He can remain at the highest level deep into his 30s, so the club must give him what he wants in the coming weeks and months.
