Liverpool FC captain Virgil van Dijk has cast doubt on his future at the club after refusing to guarantee that he would be signing a new contract.
Van Dijk has been synonymous with the Reds since his £75million transfer from Southampton in January 2018. The Dutch centre-back is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history after playing a pivotal role in their 2019-20 domestic triumph under Jurgen Klopp.
But the 32-year-old's future is far from certain following Klopp's departure in June. His current deal is due to expire in 10 months' time and Van Dijk will be free to speak to foreign clubs about a free transfer from January 1 onwards.
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When asked about the topic in a post-match discussion following their 2-0 success over Brentford, Van Dijk stayed tight-lipped on his contract talks with the club but insisted he is "very calm" about the matter.
"I am very calm. I want to play the best season I can," Van Dijk said. "I want to stay important this year. Whatever happens next year, we will see.
"Everything happens for a reason. There has been no change in my situation but I am very calm about it. There is no reason for me to think about anything else because I have a whole season to play and hopefully we will be successful."
Despite appearing to give assurances of his willingness to stay for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign, the Anfield icon's comments may set some alarm bells ringing on Merseyside after his 100th Premier League appearance at their home.
“Whatever happens in the future, Anfield has a special place in my heart," he added.
Liverpool have enjoyed an impressive start to life under new boss Arne Slot, winning his first match 3-0 against Ipswich and 2-0 Brentford on his first game in the Anfield dugot.
Slot is yet to bring in a new signing this summer, instead working with the tools at his disposal. And Van Dijk has pledged to help his new boss in any way he can, starting with moving on from the Klopp era.
"We have to... I won't say forget about the Jurgen period, but that is in the past and we had an amazing time and now it is a time for the new boss to hopefully be successful," he added.
"That's why we have to focus on that, not have comparisons and all of this stuff in my opinion.
"We don't have new players so far but obviously [I have] that extra responsibility because I know the players inside and out. But I am here for him [Slot]. I told him that from day one and I will help them and the backroom staff.
"I want to be successful and we are in the same boat. There is extra responsibility there."
