Virgil van Dijk remains a towering presence at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, both literally and figuratively.
We spoke to Will Rooney to discuss van Dijk’s continued importance to the squad, how he fits into Slot’s evolving system, and what the future might hold for the Dutchman at Anfield.
We spoke to Will Rooney to discuss van Dijk’s continued importance to the squad, how he fits into Slot’s evolving system, and what the future might hold for the Dutchman at Anfield.
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00:00now Virgil van Dijk remains a towering presence at the heart of Liverpool's defence
00:07both literally and figuratively as the Reds continue their push for silverware under Arnish
00:13slot the captain's leadership and consistency have been crucial to their success his influence
00:18extends far beyond his defensive duties guiding younger teammates setting standards and anchoring
00:24a back line that has been pivotal in Liverpool's title charge but with his contract situation a
00:30topic of growing interest questions about his long-term future are beginning to surface I
00:36spoke to Will Rooney to discuss van Dijk's continued importance to the squad how he fits into Schlott's
00:41evolving system and what the future might hold for the Dutchman at Anfield
00:46so Will looking at Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk now obviously just generically in terms of
00:54Liverpool's contract situation we've mentioned the the big three throughout the season obviously
00:59it's looking likely that Trent is is going to be linked and possibly going to Real Madrid as we
01:04mentioned obviously not fully on the dotted line yet but that's the sort of heavy speculation
01:09surrounding Trent that leaves Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk now starting with van Dijk we've mentioned
01:15Salah a fair few times due to his incredible individual season van Dijk obviously an ageing
01:22player in the side but so much experience so much quality at the highest level how much of an
01:28importance is he to Liverpool's title charge this year and and their future plans as well where does
01:32he sort of you know sit in terms of their priorities with with keeping him in the side keeping him
01:38around this group and and you know being available for Arne Schlott to take him you know into the
01:44the second season under his management he's been the bedrock to be honest with you this is this title
01:50charge he's been as good as I've ever seen him to be quite frankly he's been absolutely immense
01:56um some of the performances he's delivered have been right up there you know you think he was still
02:03very much in his in his prime and I guess he still is in his prime and I suppose that's why
02:09contract talks have probably um been protracted because as you said he is age and I think he
02:15termed 34 in July Liverpool don't often in the past they haven't given contracts out long-term
02:22contracts out of players over that the last one was maybe Jordan Henderson and that ended up coming
02:27to to a head and early conclusion and James Milner was one who stays on but that was you know years
02:32you know a year long for for the last last few years and I think Liverpool have been looking at
02:38it and thinking probably they've been trying to get it on their best terms of course they have and
02:45Van Dijk is one of the best terms for him maybe it's been about the length of contract maybe
02:50Liverpool have been reluctant to give him what he wants etc but as you say he said after the
02:55form game that there has been progress a lot of people have expected Virgil Van Dijk to stay
02:59the captain where else does he go would he want to move his family you know he's been here for a
03:05while probably could go and play for any team in Europe but would he want to at this stage of his
03:10career is there any guarantee he would be out and out fair choice because look he's a fantastic player
03:18but all those other clubs that he could join have got fantastic centre-backs as well and
03:22I think it's a conclusion a lot of people have expected I think that he will sign the
03:28daughters line and slotters praise them many a times this season about his impact he he knows it
03:35immediately on the training grounds um and he's come out and says I want Virgil to stay already
03:41so that's that's telling so I think in the end there will be a positive conclusion whether that's two
03:50years plus an option three years plus an option I don't know but I think it's it's good news because
03:57there's Ibrahim and Canadi is a really good defender but is he a natural leader I'm not quite sure about
04:05that Joe Gomez has had his fitness issues again and Jelok once is still only only 22 and very much
04:13learn his craft so Liverpool I think what this will maybe teach them is they do need to find a successor
04:19and they do need someone to come in whether that is a concert or whether they need to look for a left
04:25footer who can play on that left side who can be developed slowly can be nurtured into it because
04:32Liverpool have got to start planning for life without Virgil van Dijk in a couple of years time for
04:36years to stay and maybe he's questions a little bit but he proves all of his doses wrong