Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed that negotiations for a contract extension have made “progress,” offering a glimmer of hope to fans eager to see the 33-year-old defender remain at Anfield.
Van Dijk’s current deal expires at the end of the season, and just last month, the Netherlands international admitted uncertainty about his future.
Speaking after Liverpool’s rare 3-2 league defeat to Fulham on Sunday, Van Dijk struck a more optimistic tone about staying with the Premier League leaders. “There is progress, yeah,” said the centre-back. “I love the club, I love the fans… but these are internal discussions, and we’ll see.”
Van Dijk, a key figure in Liverpool’s success since joining from Southampton in 2018 for £75 million, is one of three high-profile stars approaching the end of their contracts. Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also yet to sign extensions, leaving the Reds’ supporters awaiting further updates.
Despite Sunday’s loss, Liverpool remain 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Reflecting on the result, Van Dijk added, “It was a poor day at the office for all of us. There were individual moments that should have been dealt with better, and it was not acceptable as a team.”
Van Dijk’s six-year tenure at Liverpool has seen him make 323 appearances, scoring 26 goals and anchoring the defense during the club’s triumphs in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup.
