LIVERPOOL, England — Virgil van Dijk scored the goal that moved Liverpool closer to the Premier League title, reaffirming his love for the club as he nears the end of his current contract.
The Netherlands international’s late header secured a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday, bringing Liverpool within six points of a record-tying 20th English league title.
It was a fitting reminder of his importance to the club following months of uncertainty about his future and his impending free agency.
Liverpool ended speculation about top scorer Mohamed Salah on Friday by signing him to a new two-year contract, and the focus now shifts to captain Van Dijk.
“Everyone knows how much I enjoy this club. “Let’s see what next week brings,” Van Dijk said after the West Ham game.
Salah has expressed his own feelings, stating that Van Dijk “can do whatever he wants, but I would love to see him again here next year.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot insisted his focus was on winning the title, not contract extensions.
“I think he (Van Dijk) means ‘Let’s see what next week means when we play Leicester City’ because that is, at this moment of time, by far the most important thing this club is looking at,” said Slot.
“We still have to win two, so we should be completely focused on that and if in the meantime a contract extension or whatever happens … my full focus is on Leicester and, I’m sure, Virgil’s as well.”
