'The thing is' - Virgil van Dijk offers cryptic response about Liverpool future

Virgil van Dijk has again revealed there has been no change on his contract situation with Liverpool. The Reds captain’s current deal expires next summer, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.

New head coach Arne Slot offered was asked about the trio when interviewed by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher ahead of his Anfield debut against Brentford.

“The only thing I have to do - what I do with all of them - is to bring the best out of them,” the Dutchman said. “And if we bring the best out of them, and they perform really well, then it’s up to them if they want to sign, it’s up to the club and us if we give them a new contract.

“But the best thing for all of them is, if you’re out of contract or not, get the best performances as possible, and the areas where I should and will help them together with my staff, to bring the best out of them, and until now, it’s nothing but positive.”

Liverpool would go on to run out 2-0 winners over Brentford thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Salah, with Van Dijk helping the Reds clinch a second-successive clean sheet. The victory would maintain Slot’s 100% start to his Anfield career, with his side currently fourth in the table after two games played.

Van Dijk was interviewed by Sky Sports after the win, as pundit and former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp asked him about his future.

And the Dutchman gave little away about whether his stay at Anfield would be extended as he insisted he was calm about his situation at the club.

"I'm very calm (about my future). I'm very calm,” he said. “The thing is I want to play the best season I can again.

“I want to be important and stay important for the club this year. Whatever happens next year, we'll see. Everything happens for a reason, that's how I see it.

“For now, there has been no changes in my situation but I'm very calm about it. There is no reason for me to start thinking something else because I have the whole season to play for still. Hopefully it will be a successful one!"