Virgil van Dijk insists he remains in no rush to decide his Liverpool future.
But the Reds captain says there has been zero movement on a new contract being offered as he enters the final six months of his deal.
Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be allowed to hold talks with other clubs from next week ahead of a potential summer of upheaval at Anfield. Yet the Dutchman, 33, is calm about the situation and he claims his complete attention is on maintaining their place as Premier League leaders.
“There is no deadline at all,” Van Dijk said. “I’ll see what the future holds. I focus fully on Leicester.”
Arne Slot’s side host the Foxes on Boxing Day with a four-point lead and game in hand thanks to their most thrilling attacking performance yet away to Tottenham on Sunday. Salah moved to fourth on Liverpool’s all-time goalscoring chart with a brace.
And after the Egyptian provided two more assists in a 6-3 victory where Liverpool could easily have hit double figures, Van Dijk added: “His numbers speak for themselves. He’s a very special athlete. He’s done amazingly for the club and hopefully he can play his best season ever for the club, stay important with his goals and assists.
“We always need a complete performance from him because all the defensive work that he can put in as well is very important for us as the last line.”
But asked if Salah will be able to do it all again next season, Van Dijk simply replied: “I don’t know.”
Mohamed Salah celebrates against Tottenham. (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool sit top of the tree at Christmas for a seventh time since the Premier League was founded – but only one of those leads converted into lifting the trophy. And despite their commanding advantage Van Dijk says the team has learnt from past experiences that there is no point in getting carried away.
“We’ve been there, we’ve done it,” he said. “We’ve lost twice in very small margins. The key is to take it game by game.
“Going top of the league at Christmas will make Christmas nice for all of the Reds around the world. But we want to be there in May as well.”
