Virgil van Dijk’s new two-year deal at Liverpool was confirmed on Thursday
Virgil van Dijk couldn’t resit a tongue-in-cheek dig at Mohamed Salah after his new Liverpool contract was confirmed.(Image: Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk couldn’t help but aim a cheeky dig at Mohamed Salah after signing a new two-year deal. The Dutchman joined the 32-year-old in committing their future to the club after season-long speculation after going into the campaign at risk of leaving as a free agent.
On Thursday, it was confirmed that the Liverpool skipper will remain at the club until 2027, following Salah in penning fresh terms last week.
Both, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, have seen their futures become topics of intense speculation, but the pair have now been rewarded for two superb seasons, which can be capped with Premier League glory, as they sit two wins away from securing another top-flight crown.
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In a post on the official Liverpool Instagram account, Van Dijk can be heard making a tongue-in-cheek quip at Salah after Anfield was the stage for his contract unveiling. The Dutchman’s came in front of a red wall draped with artwork and pictures of the Reds captain’s high points during his career on Merseyside.
The 33-year-old said: “So, Mo had a throne and I got this? Huh?”
Following their dramatic win over West Ham United on Sunday, the Reds moved 13 points clear after Van Dijk’s header late on. During the post-match interview, Salah dropped a hint regarding the Dutchman’s future.
He said: “I am glad that we managed to do that early before the end of the season, and hopefully Virgil will be next. I am just hoping – so hopefully.
“Look, he can do whatever he wants, but I would love to see him again next year.”
On Friday, Arne Slot added that the decision shows the ambition at Anfield. He said: “It tells you that we want to keep our best players, the players that have played a great season for so many years in a row now.
“That we are able to keep them when they are free agents tells you about the amazing ambitions we have for the coming years.
“Virgil is so important to us. He’s a great personality and a great player.”