Virgil van Dijk signs new two-year Liverpool contract

Virgil van Dijk has followed team-mate Mohamed Salah’s lead by signing a new two-year contract at Liverpool until 2027.

The Reds captain would have been a free agent this summer but has extended his stay on Merseyside, with his wage reportedly increasing to just shy of £400,000-per-week.

The 34-year-old’s announcement and Salah’s means it is just Trent Alexander-Arnold left who could be a free agent come the end of the campaign.

Virgil van Dijk says it’s ‘incredible’ to stay at Liverpool

Reflecting on his new deal, Van Dijk said: ‘It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.

‘There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.

‘I’m very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions, obviously, that go through my head right now speaking about it.

‘It’s a proud feeling. It’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. To be able to extend the journey I’ve had so far in my career with another two years at this club is amazing.’

Van Dijk has established himself as one of the world’s best centre backs since joining in a £75million move from Southampton in January 2018.

During his time at Anfield he has won seven major honours – a Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. He is bound to extend that tally to eight with Liverpool closing in on this season’s Premier League title.