Liverpool risk upsetting Virgil van Dijk as transfer chiefs go against his advice

The transfer pleas of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk look to have fallen on deaf ears with the club set to kick off the Premier League season without making a summer signing. Arne Slot seemed certain to get his first deal over the line this week after the Reds triggered the release clause for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubamendi, only for the Spanish international to reject a move.

The development comes as Liverpool prepare to kick off their Premier League season on Saturday, with a trip to newly promoted Ipswich Town.

After being snubbed by Zubamendi, the club have been linked with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, but are unlikely to be able to conclude a deal this week.

That’s despite Van Dijk urging his team to be active in the window, and only this week he backed club chiefs to bring in new faces. “Obviously I think we should make some signings based on how long the season will go,” he said.

“But I think they are working behind the scenes. And I am fully convinced and trust the club that they will do the right thing for us and get the best possible squad in order to compete in every competition that we are in.

“That is the main thing I am focusing on, having the trust and we will see what happens. I think they are working very hard behind the scenes, we will see how that pans out.”

But so far, Liverpool’s transfer activity has only gone in one direction. Despite impressing in pre-season, Fabio Carvalho has joined Brentford in a £27.5m deal. That followed Joel Matip and Thiago leaving the club after their contracts expired, the Spaniard since confirming his retirement.

And speculation continues to linger over the future of Mo Salah. The Egyptian has just a year left on his current contract, and continues to be linked with a big money move to Saudi Arabia.

That’s despite the club being back in the Champions League this season, with the expanded format set to place extra pressure on squad resources. Under the new rules, teams will play eight matches in the new league phase before entering the knock-outs.

The future of Van Dijk also appears increasingly uncertain. At 33, the Dutchman also has only 12 months left on his current deal, and is yet to enter talks over a possible extension.

Liverpool bosses have now seemingly risked unsettling the skipper by failing to act upon his transfer demands. Van Dijk has made 270 Liverpool appearances since joining from Southampton in 2017, and despite struggling with injury in recent seasons is still considered pivotal to the club’s ambitions.