Virgil van Dijk drops contract hint and talks up ‘big summer’ for Liverpool
'I know, but I don't know.'
Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool are ‘planning a big summer’ and hinted at news to come this week on his contract situation with the club.
The Reds captain was the hero on Sunday as his header proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory over West Ham at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side continued their march towards the Premier League title, but Van Dijk’s future remains up in the air as he is in the final few weeks of his contract with the club.
Mohamed Salah’s new two-year deal has been announced, but there is yet to be news on Van Dijk’s future beyond this season.
Talking up transfer activity to come in the next window, Van Dijk said: ‘I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years,.
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‘Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer. I think they’re planning to make it a big summer, so we all have to trust the board, as a Liverpool connected fan, to do the right job.’
Specifically on his own situation, the 33-year-old hinted that there could be news incoming, although did say that focus should not be on him.
What has Virgil van Dijk said on his contract situation?
‘Let’s see how this week goes,’ Van Dijk said on his contract status. ‘I think first, all the focus should be going to the Hillsborough anniversary. I mentioned it already in interviews, I think that’s the main thing and then we’ll see.
‘The focus will still be on Leicester, but maybe there’s some news. I don’t know. I know, but I don’t know.’
Liverpool go to Leicester on Sunday and manager Arne Slot also tried to keep attention on that trip rather than off-field issues.
‘I think [Van Dijk] means let’s see what next week brings because we play Leicester City,’ said Slot. ‘Because at this moment in time, that is by far the most important thing this club is looking at.
‘Two more wins and the first 32 games have shown us how difficult it is for every team – I repeat every team – to win a game of football. The competition has never been as strong as it is this season. That is what makes it so hard to win a game of football.
‘So everyone can say we still have to win two, yeah, so we should be completely focused on that and if in the meantime a contract extension or whatever happens, but in the meantime my full focus on Leicester and Virgil’s as well.’
Van Dijk has reflected on his time at Anfield and what the club has meant to him since he joined from Southampton.
‘I joined the club in 2017 for many reasons,’ he said. ‘Reasons like how much it means to all the Scousers, to all the fans around the whole world to be connected to Liverpool. Being successful with Liverpool; the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool that is just part of me.
‘That’s why I’m always proud when I wear that shirt, go out there and try to be the best version of myself in terms of the football player that I am. We are two wins, six points away from glory.
‘I know what it means to the club and I know what it will bring us if it happens. Most of the players don’t so when it happens, it will be beautiful but we still have a job to do.’
Liverpool could be crowned champions at Leicester on Sunday, but only if Arsenal lose at Ipswich on the same day.
