Arne Slot has been told that he misses the “power” to secure the future of Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool – where the Reds captain is described this summer as the “great priority” of the club.
The defender is one of the three important players who are out of contract at the end of the season, alongside Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite the fact that the trio has only been left with their deals for months, they have led the Merseyside club to the top of the Premier League, which they lead with 13 points with a competition more than the second placed Arsenal.
Slot's preference from his countryman is clear and was recently repeated when he admitted that he did not think he once worked with a defender who is as talented as the 33-year-old. Despite his worship by Van Dijk, however, he was told by the former Liverpool defender Stephane Hechoz that he is powerless in the Dutchman's decision to keep up or leave Anfield.
Speaking with Boylesports, who offer the newest Cheltenham bet, the 50-year-old said: “I am sure that Arne Slot is desperate to keep Virgil van Dijk, but I don't think he has the power to offer the money and the contract length that Van Dijk is looking for.
“It all comes down to the club's finances, but if Liverpool van Dijk were to lose, it would be a huge, huge loss. He is so important on the field as a player, but also with his leadership and his personality, when people don't do their job, he says them.”
Should Van Dijk leave Liverpool after seven years, Henchoz warned his former side, they cannot replace their leader. “It is impossible to replace him,” he maintained. “You can find a top center, but nobody can do what he has done. It is probably his last big contract and he will want to negotiate well, but we know that the club will have their own limitations for expenses. But it should be a big priority.”
Although Van Dijk has chosen to concentrate on what Liverpool can achieve in the coming months of the season, he touched his contract situation when he said that he remains “fully dedicated” for the football club. “It's all about the coming months,” he told Ex-Livepool captain Jamie Redknapp in an interview for Sky Sports. “To ensure that we give everything.
“We are still in three competitions and we want to be successful in all three. And that is the most important focus I have had. Very, very big plans in that sense. I want to make this team successful and that is my most important focus at the moment.
“I can't talk about personal conversations that have clearly been going on for a while. I can only say that I am fully committed to the club. I love the fans, I love the club. I have had such a great time. If there is a clear answer to my future, it will probably be out.
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