Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says he has opened talks over a new contract with the club but has admitted he does not know what the future holds.
The 33-year-old defender has been a stalwart in the Reds defence since joining in 2018 but his current contract runs out at the end of the season.
Van Dijk, along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold who are also reaching the expiry of their deals, will be free to discuss a summer move from January 1.
“Discussions are ongoing, we will see what happens in the future,” said Van Dijk.
“My full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else.
“What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have started and we will see.”
Van Dijk turns 34 in July but has been in excellent form this season, leading a defence which has conceded just three Premier League goals under Arne Slot.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, the Dutchman added: “I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun.
“What the future brings I have no idea at the moment, but discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it’s time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys will know it as well.
“But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see.”
Virgil van Dijk is the highest rated defender in the Premier League this season (7.35). 🧱 pic.twitter.com/8S22qu4mVk
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 17, 2024
Liverpool’s mean defence
Slot’s impressive start to the post-Jurgen Klopp era continued at Anfield on Sunday, with their 2-1 victory over the Blues their seventh in eight league games to retain their place at the top.
Their increased control and assured backline has won many plaudits and and Van Dijk says his compatriot manager has made the side rethink their approach to defending.
He explained: “I think at the start of the season, we saw numbers about what happens if your opponent is in the final third, how many bodies do we have behind the ball and I would say that has definitely changed.
“I wouldn’t say it’s [just] the last line and the goalkeepers making a difference, especially it’s the guys in front of us, so it’s a team effort.
“I know how it works, me and Ibou [Ibrahima Konate] as the centre-backs or the goalkeepers will get the credit for the clean sheets but it’s all about everyone in the team and credit to everyone who is doing that.
“And I am happy with the clean sheets, so hopefully we can get a lot more this season and be successful.”
