Van Dijk responds to idea of joining RMD with Liverpool contract unresolved

Virgil van Dijk has insisted he is only thinking about Liverpool after being asked directly if he would be open to a move to Real Madrid.

Van Dijk, 33, expertly put the Reds' defense on edge again on Wednesday evening as Arne Slot's side secured a deserved 2-0 win over the Spanish giants at Anfield. But after the Champions League match, the former Celtic and Southampton defender answered questions from a candid and curious Spanish reporter.

The Dutchman's future on the red side of Merseyside is currently uncertain as he is yet to agree a deal to extend his contract, which expires on June 30, 2025. Perhaps sensing an opportunity to potentially lure Van Dijk to the Bernabeu, the reporter asked Van Dijk if he would like to leave Anfield to join Carlo Ancelotti.

A rather surprised Van Dijk made it clear that he does not think that far ahead.

When asked by Spanish news channel El Chiringuito whether he thinks he will still be at Anfield next summer, a rather bemused Van Dijk replied: “What a direct question from you! They don't ask me that directly. [in England].

“But listen, I can't say anything at the moment. All I can say is that from now on I'm fully focused on Man City.”

When the persistent reporter was told that they believe Real need another top-class defender, Van Dijk replied: “Is that so? I don't know.” When pushed again, he added, “But [Antonio] Rudiger is there, right?'

When the reporter did not budge in his questioning, a more serious Van Dijk said: “When? In the summer? As I said before, the main focus at the moment for me is on Man City. Liverpool, I am I am fully on that focused and I have nothing else to say about my future.”

Van Dijk has been at Anfield since January 2018, when he left Southampton to join the Reds in a £75million contract – a world record for a defender at the time. Since then, he has developed into one of the best defenders in Premier League history.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are also said to be interested in signing teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract also expires next summer. The contractual sagas of Van Dijk, Alexander Arnold and Mohamed Salah have been one of the main talking points at Anfield in recent weeks, overshadowing their on-pitch success.

If their contracts are not extended, all three can leave the club for free at the end of the current season. Although Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk have not been too vocal about their situation, Salah recently gave an explosive interview in which he claimed he is more likely to leave Liverpool than stay at this point.

The ex-Chelsea winger said: “We're almost into December and I haven't received an offer to stay at the club yet, so I'm probably out more than in. I've been at the club for many years.

“There is no such club, but ultimately it is out of my control. As I said before, it is December and I have not yet received anything about my future.”