Credit: Imago

Liverpool News Speaking to Ian Darke

Fri 18 April 2025 17:00, UK

Liverpool are stretching not only each muscle to prepare for battle on the pitch, but also flexing those in their arms for when they imminently regain the Premier League trophy.

And it was the facial muscles more than anything for the supporters this week, smiling from ear to ear as both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk sealed the deal on their Liverpool futures until at least 2027.

The duo have been beyond instrumental for the Reds since their respective arrivals, and will both go down as Anfield legends for the rest of their days.

Van Dijk has ‘had a tip’ that Liverpool will have exciting summer

With the Salah and van Dijk dramas over, Liverpool can focus on strengthening their squad further under Arne Slot.

Slot knows more pressure will be upon his shoulders for even more trophies next season, having essentially strolled to the Premier League title in what could have been spared as a transitional year post-Jurgen Klopp.

TV commentator Ian Darke believes van Dijk’s comments in particular after signing his new contract could be food for thought that the Reds will be out to spend big this summer.

“There’s still work to do and we have to realise it as well. But looking even further than that, I think it’s exciting, I think it’s exciting for what’s coming,” the dynamic Dutchman told the official Liverpool website (17 April) as he reflected on extending his deal.

Darke said he believes Van Dijk has “had a tip” about signings the Reds could bring in while undergoing contract talks.

“I think obviously everyone was pretty exultant about keeping those two on board,” he exclusively told Liverpool News.

“I always felt those two would stay – it was pretty clear from Salah’s mood music that he wanted to stay in England, rather than play in a retirement league like the Saudi Pro League or MLS.

“They’re both in mint condition as well, great pros, and they’ll age slowly. They have at least a couple of seasons of being key men for Liverpool.

“It was interesting as well to hear Van Dijk talk about how it could be a busy summer for Liverpool, so he’s hinted he’s obviously had a tip somewhere.”

Slot and his Reds will be favourites to reclaim the lot next year

Liverpool supporters would never be happy to endure a season devoid of silverware judging by the previous standards set in the Klopp years.

However, Slot would likely have been forgiven this year for undergoing a trophy-less rebuild – he has outranked that aim with a guaranteed Premier League triumph.

Next year, things will be different; the expectation will massively rise. Liverpool will be favourites to retain their English crown, but also among the most-fancied candidates to lift a seventh Champions League trophy, as well as key journeys in the domestic cups.