What Liverpool really ‘believe’ about Virgil van Dijk as contract talks continue

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Liverpool look to be making some progress with contract discussions in December.

The Reds are now less than a month out from three of their star players being allowed to openly discuss terms with other European clubs.

Liverpool appear to be doing their best to stop that from happening, though, with news emerging on Wednesday that Virgil van Dijk has been offered a new deal.

Although Van Dijk is reported to have turned down the offer on the table, the insinuation seems to be that another one may be along soon.

It has been claimed that Van Dijk has a good chance to stay at Liverpool despite the initial disappointment with talks.

And as conversations continue behind closed doors, journalist Fabrizio Romano has given a suggestion as to where the Liverpool owners‘ heads are at regarding their captain.

Liverpool still backing Virgil van Dijk

Although it was disappointing to hear that Van Dijk had not agreed to the initial terms being offered by Liverpool, it is encouraging to at least hear that the club is trying.

The worry had perhaps been that Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards and co would feel that both Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were past their best and as a result not worth keeping.

But speaking on his YouTube channel on Thursday evening, Romano says that Liverpool still believe that the 33-year-old is one of the best centre-backs around and are pushing to tie him down at Anfield.

“We know that Liverpool made a proposal to Virgil van Dijk,” says the transfer expert. “Liverpool remain in negotiations with Van Dijk but at the moment there is still no substantial update in the sense that Van Dijk is not signing anything yesterday, today, tomorrow. Nothing is imminent. The negotiations continue.”

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“The proposal is there because Liverpool want to keep Virgil van Dijk and want him to be part of the their project. But at the moment there is still no financial agreement, no agreement on the contract.

“It doesn’t mean that it’s not going to happen, absolutely, because Liverpool are pushing, Liverpool are insisting,” Romano adds.

“They believe that Van Dijk is still one of the best centre-backs in the world so they want to keep him and build with him. The discussions is ongoing, the proposal is on the table for the last few weeks. We have to be patient and see how these conversations are going.”

Nobody better than Van Dijk

As Liverpool keep plugging away to try and get Van Dijk to stay, it is starting to feel inevitable that he will.

The captain has always been vocal in his desire to remain with the Reds and does not look to be courting interest from elsewhere at all.

That would hopefully suggest that there is still real belief that an agreement can be struck here.

If for any reason things turn south, then Liverpool should be absolutely kicking themselves. Here they have the best centre-back in the world – one of the best ever – keen and willing to stay at the club.

There is an argument to be had that Van Dijk is still in his peak. That’s how good he has been over the last two seasons. He may be 33, but there’s still plenty of life in Virgil at the very top of the game. Happily, Liverpool appear to know that. Surely this gets done.