Arne Slot hails Liverpool ‘leader’ Virgil van Dijk after new deal, sees ‘no reason why he would regress’ after committing future to champions elect

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Arne Slot waxed lyrical about captain Virgil van Dijk after he signed a new two-year contract on Thursday. Speculation regarding the 33-year-old's future has dominated most of the off-field talk at Anfield this season, but the club's influential skipper will not be going anywhere just yet. Slot was also asked about Van Dijk's potential longevity, drawing comparisons with the likes of Thiago Silva.

Slot 'really happy' with Van Dijk's extension, remains tight-lipped on Alexander-Arnold future

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Arne Slot praised the evergreen Virgil van Dijk and believes the Liverpool captain has what it takes to play at the highest level for many years to come.

The Dutchman signed a new two-year deal on Thursday, ending months of speculation about his future.

This followed the announcement of Mohamed Salah’s new two-year contract last week, as the Premier League leaders tied down their two star players for the immediate future.

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Slot assessed Van Dijk’s contributions at Liverpool in his pre-match press conference before this weekend's meeting with Leicester City.

"It's difficult to describe, you know how important he is when you see him as a player, everyone has complimented him over the years as a defender. I mostly watch football and look at possession. He is so, so good at bringing it out from the back," Slot said.

"The diagonal passes, the through ball, the leader he is, that is something I haven't worked with before, the energy he brings to the team, how professional he is and how he tries to help his team-mates. The good thing with him, is he has attributes that help here at the AXA [Liverpool’s training ground].

"It's difficult [to play later] because I only judge the quality now. How did Thiago Silva play [for so long]? He has to stay fit. If a player is out two or three months, this is the highest level in football, the Premier League.

"It's hard for players to come back straight away at that level, so he has to stay fit. If he does, I see no reason why he would regress. The club feel the same."

'Proud' Van Dijk says re-signing with Liverpool was 'always the plan'

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Van Dijk alluded to a "big summer" at the club this year, as he anticipates some high-profile incomings and departures.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could be one of those leaving Anfield, as speculation continues surrounding a proposed move to Real Madrid.

Slot addressed those comments in typically pragmatic fashion, and spoke about the balance of bringing in the right players against not making too many changes to a winning team.

"I think at LFC, it is always a big summer, and it's already a big summer now," he continued.

"Maybe the players don’t know what is being said in the media, but we have held on to two of those [players – Van Dijk and Salah’s new contracts], so it is already a big summer, so let's see what the summer brings.

"It would be strange for me to say I am not happy with the team. If we keep them, then I would say it is a big summer."

When discussing the club’s potential summer transfer window activity, Slot explained: "We didn't change anything last summer, and we didn't go downwards, but in general, I agree [about standing still] but the longer a team plays together, the more success it has.

"It is also, in general, good to have some new energy around the place with new players. I agree on that, but it is not a necessity if you look at the season we have had.

"Newcastle, we saw in the week how good they are, and given how well they played against us in the League Cup final, it is no surprise. Villa - seventh - showed they can beat PSG. What a league we are in!"

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