Virgil van Dijk is unlikely to make a switch to Saudi Arabia if he parts ways with Liverpool come the season's end. The stalwart Dutch defender is currently engaged in discussions to sign a new deal at Anfield, as his current contract is due to run out at the end of June. At 33 years of age, Van Dijk is awaiting an update on his situation before the campaign wraps up and insists he does not know where he'll be playing next season.
However, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has dropped a strong hint that Van Dijk's next destination won't be the Middle East. The national team coach disclosed that his skipper will either continue with Liverpool or join a club competing at a comparable level. Koeman's comments came as he prepared for Holland's upcoming Nations League quarter-final match against Spain this Thursday. He said: "Whether he signs with Liverpool or another big club, that's all good for me.We'll see what happens, and what I understand from Virgil is that he is still looking for the level he is at now."
Earlier in the week, Van Dijk issued a rallying cry to his Liverpool team-mates in the aftermath of their Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle. That came just days after a Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St Germain. Liverpool are showing signs of vulnerability for the first time since Arne Slot succeeded Jurgen Klopp last summer.
Despite these setbacks, Liverpool hold a 12-point advantage over Arsenal in the Premier League title race, meaning that five more wins from their last nine games would secure them their second league title in five years. Arsenal need to win all nine of their remaining fixtures and overturn a goal difference shortfall of 13.
With Liverpool set to welcome Everton on April 2, the gap at the top could shrink to just nine points because Arsenal play Fulham at home 24 hours earlier.
The Reds then face Fulham, West Ham, Leicester, and Tottenham meaning they could mathematically secure their status as Premier League champions by the end of April.
Van Dijk said: "We have nine games to go and I don't think there's any motivation needed. What is needed is we have to realise there is hard work and still a job to do. If you win five games – obviously that's a very difficult job – you're going to be champions of England.
"I can guarantee there will be so many difficult moments and you have to be prepared to suffer, whether it is 1-0 down, 2-0, whatever, because you can see the end and you work so hard for that each and every day. But we all have to realise the job is not done. We have to work our ass (off)."
This story originally appeared on the Mirror