LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Virgil van Dijk scored the goal that moved Liverpool a step closer to the Premier League title and reaffirmed his love for the club as he enters the final weeks of his current contract.
The Netherlands international’s late header sealed a 2-1 win against West Ham on Sunday that put Liverpool within six points of a record-equaling 20th English league title.
It was a fitting reminder of his importance to the club after months of uncertainty over his future and with him on the verge of becoming a free agent.
Liverpool ended speculation over top scorer Mohamed Salah on Friday by tying him down to a new two-year deal, and the focus is now on captain Van Dijk.
“Everyone knows how much I love this club. Let’s see what next week will look like,” Van Dijk said after the West Ham game.
Salah has revealed his own feelings, saying Van Dijk "can do whatever he wants, but I would love to see him again here next year.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot insisted his mind was on sealing the title, rather than contract extensions.
“I think he (Van Dijk) means ‘Let’s see what next week means when we play Leicester City’ because that is, at this moment of time, by far the most important thing this club is looking at,” Slot said.
“We still have to win two, so we should be completely focused on that and if in the meantime a contract extension or whatever happens ... my full focus is on Leicester and, I’m sure, Virgil’s as well.”
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
James Robson, The Associated Press
