LONDON: Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two-year contract with the club, following the example set last week by top-scoring forward Mo Salah.. The 33-year-old centre-back’s previous contract had been set to expire at the end of the season.

Van Dijk said: “It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan.”

The Dutchman, who has made 314 appearances for the Reds, was named Liverpool captain in 2023 following Jordan Henderson’s departure.

He added: “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. It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible.

“The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy.”

Van Dijk has been with the club since joining for £75m from Southampton in January 2018. He has helped Liverpool win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and League Cup twice.

Under Liverpool manager and fellow Dutchman Arne Slot, who is in his first season in the role, Van Dijk has been key in helping the Reds close in on a record-equalling 20th English league title.

Van Dijk said in March that he had “no idea” if he would remain at Anfield.

But earlier this month, he said that there had been “progress” in negotiations with the club over a new contract.

With new deals confirmed for Salah and Van Dijk, the future of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold remains unresolved.

The England defender, who returned to Liverpool training on Wednesday after a month out because of injury, is out of contract in July and has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

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