Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised Virgil van Dijk because the Reds skipper faces a crunch name on his future at Anfield.
The Reds will begin 2025 as Premier League leaders, after their 3-1 residence win over Leicester Metropolis on Boxing Day moved them seven factors clear on the summit.
Van Dijk has been central to Slot’s robust begin to life on Merseyside, beginning all 17 Premier League video games this season along with his aspect conceding simply 17 objectives.
Solely Arsenal (16) have conceded fewer objectives than Liverpool within the top-flight, and Van Dijk has the joint-highest variety of clear sheets of any outfield Premier League participant because the begin of the marketing campaign, with seven.
The 33-year-old has been locked in contract extension talks with the membership in current weeks, alongside Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the trio all seeing their present offers expire on the finish of the season.
Present guidelines state all three can begin free switch negotiations with non-Premier League groups from the beginning of 2025, however a transfer can’t be accomplished till the summer time.
Van Dijk has indicated his need to stay on the membership, as he nears 300 appearances since his 2018 arrival from Southampton, however Slot recommended no agency progress has been made as 2024 attracts to an in depth.
“He has been an amazing participant, such an important participant for Liverpool for therefore a few years,” Slot informed BBC Sport.
“I can solely let you know my experiences with him, and he’s been not solely what you see – since you see him throughout the recreation, and he’s excellent – however he has such a big effect in coaching classes as properly.
“He’s the vocal chief of this workforce. Each time we begin an train, he’s on high of his team-mates, and he leads by instance.
“For me, he has been excellent, and we are able to solely hope he continues exhibiting this throughout the video games and within the coaching classes, so long as he’s with us.”
Virgil van Dijk on IG… pic.twitter.com/xsBFXHGn8r
— The Anfield Speak (@TheAnfieldTalk) December 27, 2024