Virgil van Dijk Plays Down Concerns Over Expiring Liverpool Contract
Liverpool’s veteran captain was noncommittal but unconcerned when asked about his future at the club beyond 2024-25.
While for many the first thought turns to potential signings during the summer transfer window, for Liverpool fans the bigger story in a summer that has seen them yet to make a signing for the first team for this season isn’t transfers, it’s contracts.
With homegrown Trent Alexander-Arnold, superstar Mohamed Salah, and captain Virgil van Dijk all entering the final year of their contracts there is now a real risk of the losing three of their best and most important players for nothing next summer.
It’s an inevitable talking point that will only grow in perceived importance for the fans and pundits when the transfer window shuts and the weeks and months pass, and already the players are starting to be asked about their futures by the media.
“I’m very calm,” Van Dijk said of his contract situation after Liverpool’s 2-0 week two victory over Brentford on Sunday. “I just want to play the best I can again this season, I want to be an important player and stay important for the club this year.
“Whatever happens next year, we’ll see. Everything happens for a reason, that’s how I see it, but there’s been no changes in my situation. I’m very calm about it because I still have the whole season to play first and hopefully it will be a successful one.”
All three players have been amongst the Reds’ best performers in week one and two under new manager Arne Slot, and it remains unclear if delays in getting new deals done reflects a hesitancy on the part of the club or the parts of the players.
Regardless, if the transfer window shuts with no new signings and all three big contract question marks unresolved, more than a few fans will be asking what exactly new sporting director Richard Hughes has accomplished since joining the club.
An already strong squad and efforts to sign star six Martin Zubimendi only to have him go back on his word and refuse to join are mitigating factors, but no signings for this season and three stars on expiring deals could inspire only concern.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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