Virgil van Dijk is still in talks with the Liverpool over his future with his contract set to expire at the end of the season – but he is unlikely to make a surprise move to Saudi Arabia
Virgil van Dijk does not look set to move to Saudi Arabia if he leaves Liverpool this summer. The Dutch defender is still in talks with the Reds over his future with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Van Dijk, 33, expects an update before the end of the campaign but is still adamant that he has no idea where he will play next season. But Holland boss Ronald Koeman has hinted it won’t be in Saudi Arabia. The Dutch manager revealed his captain will either stay at Anfield or play at a club in a league of a similar level.
Koeman was speaking ahead of Holland’s Nations League quarter-final clash with Spain on 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 this week, Van Dijk warned his Liverpool team-mates they have to be prepared to suffer in the quest for another Premier League title.
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Defeat in the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle followed a Champions League exit to Paris St Germain five days earlier and for the first time since Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer, cracks are starting to appear.
A 12-point lead over Arsenal means five victories will likely be enough for a second title in five years as their rivals would have to win all nine remaining games while also overhauling a goal difference deficit of 13.
Liverpool’s form in front of goal – they have scored just three in their last three high-profile matches, discounting the win over bottom side Southampton – and the evident fatigue amongst most of Slot’s regular starters offers Mikel Arteta ’s side some hope.
The lead could be down to nine by the time Liverpool host Everton on April 2, but with matches to come against Fulham, West Ham, Leicester and Tottenham there is the potential for the job to be done by the end of next month.
“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,” said Van Dijk.
“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).”
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