'Not true' - Virgil van Dijk addresses Liverpool future and speaks out on growing injury list

Virgil van Dijk has reacted to Liverpool’s injury woes as they look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds are currently eight points clear of Man City, who they host at Anfield on Sunday.

Arne Slot has won 17 of his 19 matches since succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the summer, and that is despite his side losing a number of players to injury. The Dutchman could be without six players when Pep Guardiola’s men travel to Anfield on Sunday.

While Liverpool have recently welcomed back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott from injury, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley have joined Federico Chiesa, Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota on the sidelines.

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The Reds have navigated such setbacks successfully so far, with the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher and Bradley stepping up to excel in the absence of their senior team-mates.

And while playing down Liverpool’s current injury list, Van Dijk is determined to not let it derail the Reds’ progress.

“Obviously it is down also to having not too many injuries, and we hope to keep it that way,” he said to Optus Sport. “Injuries obviously are unfortunately part of football, but as long as you don’t have many injuries you can sort of build momentum.

“You can rotate when needed of course and give everyone the opportunity. The guys that have been coming in and having the opportunities, they have been grabbing them with both hands.

“We have to keep going. It’s such a long season still, we need everyone at their best, in form but first and foremost fit and playing consistently.”

Van Dijk singled out Kelleher in particular following his star showing against Real Madrid in midweek where he saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappe.

The Republic of Ireland international has now saved three spot-kicks from his last four outings for club and country, as well as four clean sheets from his last six appearances for Liverpool and Ireland.

And while Slot has already confirmed that Alisson will regain his starting place when back fit, Van Dijk was full of praise for Kelleher as he admitted it is ‘a joy’ to play in front of the shot-stopper.

“Obviously it is never easy I think to be a second goalkeeper,” he said. “But obviously he has an amazing goalkeeper in front of him in terms of Alisson Becker.

“But when Caoimh has been playing he’s been outstanding. He’s been full of confidence as a goalkeeper, with and without the ball. It’s a joy to have him behind us when he plays.

“He has to just keep going; he is a good boy, he knows he has to stay calm and keep working, and that’s a very important thing.”

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with Viaplay, Van Dijk reiterated there is no new update on his future ahead of the Dutchman's contract expiring next summer.

“To be honest, no,” he is quoted as replying, by Soccer News, after it was put to him that, 'The club officially doesn’t allow me to ask you about the contract negotiations.'

“There is no change at all, " Van Dijk continued. "There is no update at all, there is no news for the outside world. So, I have nothing to share at all. There is nothing at all, it is all not true.”