On the pitch, things could hardly be better. The Reds have had as perfect a campaign as they ever could have dreamed of under Arne Slot.
Off it, though, things are a different matter entirely. Liverpool are running out of time in their attempts to keep Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.
As their contracts agonisingly tick down, all three continue to be vitally important to the Liverpool squad.
Even despite Salah’s goals and Alexander-Arnold’s brilliance on the ball, though, Van Dijk stands tall as the player Liverpool really cannot afford to lose.
Throughout the contract sagas, Van Dijk has always seemed likely to stay. But with a new theory going around about why he is yet to commit his future to Liverpool, journalist James Pearce has now weighed in.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Ipswich Town FC...
‘No reason to believe’ Virgil van Dijk theory
Van Dijk has been superb for Liverpool this season. Saturday’s win over Ipswich was the latest show of the 33-year-old’s imperious form.
As a result of his importance to the team, it seems unthinkable that Van Dijk will not sign on for more years at Anfield. And yet here we are.
Despite his lack of a new deal, however, Robbie Fowler has publicly claimed that he believes Van Dijk has signed a new contract but Liverpool will not announce it while negotiations continue with Alexander-Arnold and Salah.
But addressing this theory on the Walk On podcast, Pearce says he has ‘no reason to believe’ that this is the case.
“I know there is this kind of idea going around that maybe it’s done and it’s tucked away in a draw somewhere whilst the uncertainty surrounding other players continues,” he says.
“I hope that’s the case, [but] I’ve got no reason to believe it is.”
Signs still pointing towards Van Dijk stay
Although Pearce is less than encouraging about this theory, he does still sound positive that Van Dijk will ultimately stay with Liverpool.
“Out of the three players, we’ve said all the way along that Van Dijk was the one we were most confident about,” he says. “But also just, logic, everything just points to him staying.
“There is a different dynamic to the Salah one because for a start he isn’t earning that kind of money currently anyway, but you can see with Van Dijk how much he loves everything. The responsibility, the pressure, the scrutiny, how he embraces everything that comes with being the leader of Liverpool.
“Common sense surely says that you reach an agreement with him.”
Although Van Dijk himself does not have the air of a man preparing to leave his club, nervousness will remain until he signs on the dotted line.
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