What Virgil van Dijk has 'told friends' about signing new Liverpool contract

The wait for Virgil van Dijk to secure his long-term future continues but the Liverpool captain is believed to be keen on extending his stay on Merseyside.

The 33-year-old, like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah , will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season unless he puts pen-to-paper on fresh terms, while all three can speak to new clubs and sign pre-contract agreements as early as January.

But Van Dijk , who has continued to excel under new boss Arne Slot this season, has shown no signs of wanting to leave the club when his contract expires next summer, even if it appears discussions between both parties are yet to take place.

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Furthermore, a fresh report from Football Insider now claims that the Reds captain has informed his close friends that he is keen to extend his stay beyond the end of the current season, providing a major boost for Liverpool when it finally engages in fresh talks with the Dutchman.

It's added that the Netherlands international is said to have been pleased with what he has seen from his new manager in the opening stages of the 2024-25 campaign, with Liverpool winning nine out of 10 matches so far in all competitions and sitting at the top of the Premier League table.

In fact, Van Dijk appears to rediscovered his best form once more in a defensive partnership alongside Ibrahima Konate , helping the Reds to keep six clean sheets and even finding himself on the scoresheet against AC Milan in the Champions League last month.

Despite turning 33 over the summer, the former Southampton star has shown no signs of slowing down and continues to be the rock in Liverpool's backline. His performances have suggested he can go well into his thirties, which is thought to be an influential factor in Liverpool remaining keen to keep him.

And during the September international break, Van Dijk suggested that he wants to stay at Liverpool , saying: “At both teams (Liverpool and the Netherlands) I am still Virgil van Dijk, the big leader. And I certainly want to remain that for the next two years."

On Monday, Liverpool confirmed young defender Jarell Quansah had signed a new long-term deal with the club , while recent reports claim Konate is set to be offered a new deal , too, despite the fact the most important defender of them all is growing ever closer to leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season.