While a 4-1 victory over Premier League strugglers Ipswich Town is unlikely to be regarded as a highlight of Liverpool’s season come May, it was a landmark day for Virgil van Dijk. The Reds captain became the 65th player in the club’s history to reach 300 appearances.

Out of contract at the end of the season, it remains unclear how many more outings there will be for the 33-year-old. Liverpool face 16 more Premier League fixtures this season, and are guaranteed to play at least three times more in the Champions League and once each in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

With Arne Slot’s men pursuing multiple honours, they will hope their commitments extend beyond that.

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A quadruple charge to the end would see 31 fixtures remaining and extend their campaign to 65 matches.

But ever the consummate professional, Van Dijk is inevitably only ever thinking about the next game.

He remains in the dark about his future as his contract saga continues, but that would not make his answer any different. While the Reds might be in pursuit of multiple honours, again, the public line is, has been and will always be they only take it one game at a time.

"Very proud. My family and my kids were here today so it was a special day,” Van Dijk admitted to reporters, including the ECHO, after his landmark appearance. “I might get a glass of red wine tonight just to celebrate, me and my wife. But that's it. The focus is then on the next game.

“There will be a day one day when I reflect on everything that's happened to me at Liverpool. Then I'll have a proper think about what stands out. Hopefully there are still good things to come.

"I have no idea (how many more appearances I’ll make). How many left this season? Hopefully those are guaranteed and then I don't know what the future will bring.

“That shows (boasting the highest win percentage of any Liverpool player to make 300+ appearances) I did quite well up until now. It's down to everyone involved - the players, the managers, the fans. It's a good stat to have. We will keep going. Good win so now we focus on the next one.”

Admittedly, there are no guarantees that Van Dijk could even feature in the Reds’ next game. Liverpool travel to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday in their final Champions League league match.

Slot’s men are already guaranteed a top-two finish, having booked their place in the round-of-16 by beating Lille this week. A point in the Netherlands will secure top spot, while it will be cemented regardless if Barcelona don’t win at home to Atalanta.

Having made five changes against Ipswich, Slot is expected to rotate again in Eindhoven as he continues to make full use of his squad. And how halfway through his first season at Anfield, the Dutchman is certainly making even better use of his ranks.

And Van Dijk is adamant that it is benefitting Liverpool both now and in the long-run as their search for silverware continues, and all his Reds team-mates continue to make the most of their opportunities.

"He (Slot) came in the summer and it takes time to know everyone inside out,” he said. “He's doing that and bringing players on who have different qualities to others. Then it's down to us as players to show what we can do on the pitch.

"The manager said in our meeting that out of the last eight goals we had scored before today seven were scored by substitutes if I'm correct. We are all in this together. Everyone understands that.

"Keeping everyone fresh is very important. We play at PSV on Wednesday when there will probably be some rotation with some other players having the opportunity to show themselves in the Champions League.

“These things are good to do because everyone is needed in match form. These moments where players can come, it's very important. It's good to create these things. The manager is using these opportunities."