'The feeling': Melchiot shares insight into Holland's perspective of van Dijk's Liverpool contract
Today at 02:15 PM
Virgil van Dijk is back to his best at Liverpool this season despite being towards the latter stages of his career.
Arne Slot has made an outstanding start at Liverpool and one of the reasons behind that is the form of his 33-year-old captain at the back.
The Reds have only conceded two goals after seven Premier League matches and lost one game as they sit at the top of the tree.
Whilst fans can smile about how well the team has reacted following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, there is still a worrying cloud hovering above Anfield.
Three of Liverpool‘s most important players are probably van Dijk, Real Madrid transfer target Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.
Yet, come next summer, all three are out-of-contract and fans are wondering whether or not they will sign new deals because this is an unnecessary situation they are in.
In terms of the individual players’ forms, it isn’t affecting them, with Salah still scoring for fun, Trent winning Man of the Match awards with ease and van Dijk looking like the player who dominated under Klopp.
Mario Melchiot was asked to share his thoughts on what the talk in Holland is like about van Dijk’s contract situation and how he feels the centre-back is ‘keeping it quiet’ because he doesn’t want to ‘activate’ anything.
The former Chelsea player highlighted how van Dijk being the Netherlands captain, but also having a Dutch coach at club level, is a reason why not much is being said, as he told ESPN.
But other than that, it’s also a guessing game for the people of Holland, in regards to whether or not van Dijk stays or goes.
Virgil van Dijk’s contract situation at Liverpool
“He hasn’t come out yet, in regards to giving any news about it,” said Melchiot. “I think he is keeping it really quiet. Why is he keeping it quiet? Because he doesn’t want to activate certain aspects that people start leaving.
“He is the captain of Holland. If he brings out a story, they are going to highlight it straight away. And also having a Dutch coach.
“I think, at the moment now, it won’t surprise me if they come up with an offer. I think he would extend. The guy has won enough in his career. If he makes a change, we could also not complain about it and say ‘it’s wrong what they are doing’. I just hope that they don’t let him wait too long. This feeling for any player, if he waits too long. Maybe they are speaking and they have had a conversation, but things haven’t been public yet. In Holland, no stories yet of van Dijk.”
Keeping Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
If Liverpool can keep their key trio, then fans should and will start to get really excited about the future.
It’s not just about what those players can do on the pitch, but the effect they can have on the rest of the group on a daily basis.
READ MORE: Man City's Bernando Silva names the team he found harder to beat out of Arsenal and Liverpool
Darwin Nunez has had a mixed time at Liverpool, but it helps him that he has the reliability of Salah in the team and he can afford to be inconsistent, whilst still trying to learn and improve.
Yes, he needs to get his act together pretty soon, but at least he can fall and get back up with Salah in the building, you dread what would happen if the Egyptian were to leave.
