Liverpool told Virgil van Dijk is ‘the one’ amid contract talks
Liverpool have had an excellent season, but as the campaign edges closer to an end, attention is rapidly turning to contract negotiations.
Although Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract at the end of the season, the Reds have managed to keep the noise quiet surrounding these conversations.
However, with Arne Slot’s men in their worst run of the season, having lost their second Premier League game as well as losing in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup before the international break, talks away from the pitch are taking precedent.
Harry Kewell urges Liverpool to secure van Dijk
It has recently been reported that Alexander-Arnold will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season and swapping Merseyside for Real Madrid next term.
It was unlikely that all three players would stay but the update has certainly caused nerves amongst supporters with the other two crucial contracts yet to be secured.
There has been plenty of debate surrounding who would be the most important player for the Reds to secure with van Dijk and Salah leading the vote.
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The Liverpool captain has confirmed that there has been progress in terms of his contract situation coming to a conclusion but has not indicated whether that is a positive or negative move.
Harry Kewell has urged his former side that everything could change without van Dijk’s services though as he told Sky Sports (8 April, 6:14): “Van Dijk is the one for me.
“I think he’s been huge ever since he arrived at Liverpool. His stature, his size, the way he plays. I like him. I’ve always liked him as a player and I think he’s probably up there with one of the best centre-backs the Premier League has ever seen and again, that’s only my opinion.I think you can bring anyone beside him, left-back, centre-back, right-back and he can make them feel comfortable there’s always that.
“If he goes, it could take time because they have got players there can fill that role but it may take a little bit of time.”
Liverpool have to secure van Dijk
Liverpool have been excused for letting contract talks take a back seat for the majority of the season so far as they have continued to push at the top of the Premier League towards the title in dominant fashion.
However, sitting nine points clear, that race looks like it is over – despite a loss to Fulham on Sunday (6 April) – and understandably, attention is turning to the summer transfer window.
There is plenty of pressure on Slot’s side to perform to the same levels again next season and prove that this term was not a result of other side’s misfortunes which means a strong side is needed again.
Van Dijk has been a mainstay of the side for a reason and his role as captain means a new contract could encourage others in the squad that Anfield is still the place to be.
As Kewell says, while every player can be replaced, losing someone as valuable as van Dijk could have serious implications and put Slot’s side back next term which is not the progress they are looking to make under their new manager.