Four key Liverpool players in the scope for summer extensions including Mo Salah
By Evan Curnew
2. Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is not the defender he was a few seasons ago, but nonetheless, he is still viewed by the club as one of their most important players. Besides being suspended for two games due to a red card early in the season against Newcastle, Virgil van Dijk started every game he was available for this Premier League season. This is not a surprise, as the Dutch centre-half spent this season as Liverpool's newest captain after Jordan Henderson departed for Saudi Arabia last summer. Like Salah, van Dijk's contract is due to expire in 2025, and it will be a topic discussed this summer.
Although it looks likely that soon-to-be-named manager Arne Slot will not have a say on Liverpool's transfers, some Dutch influence could convince van Dijk to sign an extension. Van Dijk has already spoken about Slot and what he could do at Liverpool (source):
"“With the way he plays, the philosophy he has, he can be a Liverpool coach”."
- Virgil van Dijk on Arne Slot
Van Dijk will turn 33 before the beginning of next season, meaning any extension will likely be a short one as the Reds must be wary of committing long-term to an aging defender.