Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk drops new contract hint after Arsenal draw

Virgil van Dijk has hinted that eager Liverpool fans will not be given an answer to his contract situation until the latter stages of this season.

The Dutchman’s deal expires at the end of June, by which time he will have spent seven-and-a-half years at Anfield. And Van Dijk continues to keep people guessing about whether he plans to extend his stay on Merseyside.

He remains a towering figure in Liverpool’s defensive line, even at 33 years old, and his early header helped the Reds earn a respectable 2-2 draw at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, the centre-back pointed supporters towards ‘the end of the season’ in their search for contract clarity. “I’m very calm,” he said.

“Let’s see what happens towards the end of the season. I’m enjoying my football, physically and mentally. Keep enjoying the game because it’s a beautiful game that we play and I play.”

Liverpool have made a barnstorming start to life under Arne Slot, but last weekend’s meeting with Chelsea at Anfield, and this weekend’s trip to north London, were both viewed as an acid test after a favourable run of fixtures to kick off the campaign.

Slot has come through those tests with close to flying colours. A 2-1 victory at home to the Blues has been followed by a spirited, battling score draw at one of the toughest grounds they will visit all season.

And although the one-point haul has forced Liverpool to settle for second in the Premier League table behind Manchester City, Van Dijk was in no way downbeat about the result.

“Listen, it’s a very tough place to come,” he continued. “They created a solid team and make it difficult for everyone. To come back twice is a good thing, we take the point and we move.

“You play here in London, they have the fans behind them and they created some momentum. You have to be ready to fight because you will have some tough moments. One point and we take it.”

While on-pitch matters are generally positive for Slot, contract tension continues to simmer behind the scenes. Alongside Van Dijk; Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah will also be free agents next summer if they fail to agree on fresh contract terms with the Anfield hierarchy.

Alexander-Arnold is reportedly the subject of serious interest from Real Madrid, while Salah has long been linked with the Saudi Pro League.