Virgil Van Dijk is expected to sign a new contract following the Champions League triumph.
Liverpool were triumphant in the Champions League by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday. Reds’ record signing Virgil Van Dijk put in another monstrous performance alongside Alisson Becker to clinch the sixth Champions League.
The Dutch International was adjudged as the Man of the Match for shielding the backline in a spectacular fashion when the midfield struggled to keep hold of the ball.
There were several questions raised when Jurgen Klopp spent 75 million on the defender, but those critics have been silenced. Out of the 51 games played in all competitions this season, the defence department anchored by Virgil Van Dijk has kept 27 clean sheets. He has played a cardinal role along with Alisson Becker to stabilize the defence which has not been shabby. There is a mutual alliance between the player and the manager which has worked wonders this campaign.
According to the reliable ESPN FC, the Dutch Skipper has told Liverpool that he wants to sign a new contract. Van Dijk is enthusiastic about the squad which will be ameliorated following the Champions League triumph.
Given the given current length of former Southampton defender’s deal, neither club nor player’s representatives are rushing towards a new deal. Even though Van Dijk has indicated his desire, they are relaxed in their approach to the conclusive reach.
The 27-year-old is already one of the top earners at the club and his reputation among the squad speaks volumes. He is currently the third captain after Jordan Henderson and James Milner, despite signing for this club 18 months ago. He is a serious contender for the Ballon D’Or, a defender who could get his hands on that individual accolade for the first time since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.
The club is desiring to tie down the key players to a new deal rather than splashing huge sum on new players. Van Dijk will follow Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander Arnold to a new deal at the club. James Milner and Joel Matip are the other two players in line for a new contract.
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Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup at Istanbul on August 14th.
