Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah look as though they will be extending their stays at Liverpool, which will be welcome news for Arne Slot.
The pair’s futures have been up in the air for some time, and with the season approaching its end, it was feared that Liverpool could be waving goodbye to both this summer. However, various outlets reported on Wednesday that the club is growing increasingly confident that the pair will sign new deals.
Van Dijk and Salah are expected to put pen to paper on two-year extensions, keeping them at Anfield until 2027, and ending any speculation of exits. It does look as though Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be joining them in signing a new contract, although the Reds have perhaps just about got things right by securing their two best players.
Having Van Dijk and Salah on board for next season will be a huge boost for Slot as he looks to build upon what should be a Premier League title-winning season, with Liverpool a maximum of just 11 points away from being confirmed as champion.
The Reds’ head coach has, for the most part, sidestepped questions over his players’ future this season, although he has made it clear just how highly he rates both Van Dijk and Salah, especially the former.
In fact, Slot broke away from his usual responses when he addressed the future of his captain last month. “The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season,” Slot said. “The rest is talks about the contract and that is not what I do over here.”
(Image: Getty Images)
That wasn’t the first time Slot had made it clear he wants his captain to stay. Just a month earlier, the Liverpool boss was full of praise for Van Dijk and his impact on the club.
“He has been outstanding for this club for so many years and since I’ve been working here, he’s been outstanding for me as well for the performances he brings.”
Slot added: “Good health for him and his family, that is the first thing I wish him. And I hope I can enjoy working with him for a long time, but I don’t think that is a surprise for you.”
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And Slot’s opinion on Salah is just as high as it is for Van Dijk, with the Liverpool boss holding the Egyptian up as the standard bearer for any new signings that join the club, which may give an indication of what he wants this summer.
“For everyone, it is the best that he [Salah] brings the performances than he does not,” Slot said in February. “Maybe only for the one who has to pay him it is not the best! For everyone else it is the best because if you want to be at this club, you need to be at his level, otherwise you are almost useless to play at this club.
“We only need players who are at the top of their game because this is one of the best clubs — or the best club — in the world to play for. So he needs to have these performances for him to play here, and hopefully for him to extend.”
