Virgil van Dijk makes new Liverpool transfer request already
Virgil van Dijk is no stranger to winning trophies with Liverpool, having lifted the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup.
The Dutchman recently signed a lucrative new deal at Anfield, with the terms of that contract possibly relying heavily on incentives.
Liverpool must retain their title without Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was booed by some supporters during their 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Ahead of a crucial summer for the Premier League champions, van Dijk is fully aware of what the Reds must do to lift the title again.
Van Dijk sends Liverpool clear message
Although Liverpool only clinched the Premier League title recently, the outcome had been known for some time.
Having topped the table for almost the entire season, Arne Slot's men completed their league triumph by defeating Tottenham Hotspur at the end of April.
Since then, the Reds have had time to celebrate and have taken their foot off the accelerator as they edge towards the end of a historic season.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| 4 May | Chelsea | Lost 3-1 |
| 11 May | Arsenal | Drew 2-2 |
Players and staff have had time to reflect on the success, and van Dijk opened up to The Mirror (12 May) about what they must now do.
He said: “I think it has to be a big summer, and I trust the club and the people who make the decisions to do the right thing.
“As champions, it is a very difficult task to remain champions, but I feel with additions we can make that step up.
"Let's see what happens, but I fully trust the decision-makers to do the right things and let's see what those right things are.”
Liverpool must strengthen multiple areas
If Liverpool want to retain the Premier League, then they only have to look at Pep Guardiola for some intel, begrudgingly.
What Manchester City have done so successfully over the years is invest, and the Merseyside club must replicate this strategy.
As well as Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez is expected to depart Anfield and could leave for as little as £35million this summer.
Alexander Isak has long been Liverpool's prime target, but with Newcastle United set to reach the Champions League, that move feels unlikely.
At the back, Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez appears to be on his way to the North West and would be a wise investment.
Elsewhere, Jeremie Frimpong and Dean Huijsen have been touted with moves, with the former a likely successor to Alexander-Arnold.
While Slot and Liverpool can bask in the English sun, they must cement their status as the best in the country, and they may need new faces to do that again.