Liverpool suffered a major blow as they crashed out of the Champions League after a penalty shootout defeat to PSG. Adding to their troubles, the club remains without updates on the contract situations of three key players. If watching Virgil van Dijk speak with Paris Saint-Germain’s president after the loss wasn’t already concerning for Reds fans, his post-match remarks about his future will only deepen their worries.
It was spotted late that Virgil van Dijk was conversing with Nasser Al-Khelaifi at the Anfield grounds on Tuesday night. No information has emerged regarding the content of their discussion, but it is a rather alarming picture as the Liverpool captain has about three months to expire on his current contract. To add misery to the plight of Reds supporters who hope he stays, the centre-back threw further doubt on his future while addressing reporters after the match. The Captain has won all the club trophies there is to win with Liverpool, with his alleged last Champions League dance with the Reds coming to an end… His future looks very uncertain, to say the least.
Van Dijk is absolutely not sure about his future
As fans, we should believe that Van Dijk wants to stay at Liverpool and could be working with his agent behind the scenes for a contract extension. But the absence of public updates gives Red supporters little comfort. Meanwhile, it appears Richard Hughes is planning for a future without the 33-year-old, as Liverpool have been linked with several centre-backs, including Dean Huijsen, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Joel Ordoñez. Given Van Dijk’s age, such succession planning is being talked about.
According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Van Dijk has remained tight-lipped about his contract situation. After graciously congratulating PSG on their victory, he admitted that he is uncertain about his future at Liverpool beyond the summer.
Van Dijk’s words, as interpreted by Paul Joyce, speaks volume into his future
“I have no idea. I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely. I have no idea at the moment. It is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There’s just… I keep saying the same thing.
“Listen, there are 10 games to go, and that is my full focus. If there is news, you guys will know it. I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes but that is about it.
“At the moment, I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”
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Losing Van Dijk on a free transfer this summer would be a massive setback for Liverpool, especially given that his performances over the past year have been as consistent and dominant as they were during his peak from 2018 to 2020. The uncertainty surrounding his future may linger a while longer, but if he eventually signs a new contract and remains at Anfield for another season or two, the wait will have been well worth it.