Virgil van Dijk has revealed discussions are “ongoing” regarding a new contract with Liverpool in an attempt to end the impasse which threatens to see the captain’s career at the club end next summer.
The centre-back is one of three senior Liverpool players, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, whose current deals expires at the end of the season and would be able to talk with potential European suitors in January about a free transfer.
The lack of information concerning any progression regarding contract talks has led to frustration amongst supporters but in the aftermath of Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea, Van Dijk said that the “right people are talking to each other”.
“I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know, we will see what happens in the future,” Van Dijk said.
“My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else. What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see.”
The 33-year-old described himself as “feeling very good physically and mentally” having started the season under new head coach Arne Slot in outstanding form.
Liverpool have conceded only three goals in their opening eight Premier League matches of the campaign, taking them to the top of the table, whilst they have recorded 10 wins from their first 11 games in all competitions.
Van Dijk returning to the exceptionally high levels that he has previously set has been pivotal to Liverpool’s assured start to the season, but the defender also highlighted that Slot’s tactical tweaks have also been crucial in them coming out of the blocks quickly.
“At the start of the season, we saw numbers about what happens if your opponent is in the final third, how many bodies do we have behind the ball?” said Van Dijk.
“I would say that has definitely changed. I wouldn’t say it’s [just] the last line and the goalkeepers making a difference, especially it’s the guys in front of us again, so it’s a team effort.
“I know how it works, me and Ibou [Konate] as the centre-backs or the goalkeepers will get the credit for the clean sheets but it’s all about everyone in the team and credit to everyone who is doing that. And I am happy with the clean sheets, so hopefully we can get a lot more this season and be successful.
“The work we put in starts up front. You see Darwin [Nunez] coming on, winning balls on the edge of our box and that is a good sign. It’s obviously a good basis to have because if you are defensively solid and you’re not conceding many goals or any goals at all, I think that is always a good way to succeed. We’re only 10 or 11 games in now though, so there is still lots to go.”
'I'll focus on one game at a time during tough run'
Liverpool were not heavily tipped to be title contenders at the outset but they are currently defying such pre-season predictions. Defeating Enzo Maresca’s resurgent Chelsea side was considered the most notable result of Slot’s fledgling tenure.
Yet, a run of tougher fixtures are on the horizon with league clashes against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City alongside challenging Champions League assignments against RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid over the next six weeks.
“Everyone can have their opinion but I know, like I think a lot of people know opinions can change every three days now in terms of [people saying] someone can win the league and someone can’t. I think there is no point listening to any of that. I don’t do that,” said Van Dijk.
“I focus on one game at a time, I want to be successful, I want to win trophies in every competition we’re in, I want to try and win it. We know how difficult it is but I am going to give it a very good go I think.
“On paper it looks like it is a very tough run of games and it is. And also what makes it difficult is we travel and it is about staying fit, keeping the rhythm, but listen, I am looking forward to it. This is what you want to do, you want to play on the highest level and perform and show what we can do. So let’s go for it.”
