'Virgil van Dijk's head turned on Liverpool exit since January'

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Virgil van Dijk’s coy updates about his Liverpool future will be due to having received “all sorts of offers” since the January transfer window, says Martin Keown.

The Reds’ captain is one of three star players at Anfield out of contract in the summer, with Ballon d’Or front-runner Mohamed Salah, and Real Madrid target Trent Alexander-Arnold also yet to commit their futures to Liverpool.

Bayern Munich have made contact with Van Dijk’s agent, in the hopes of tempting the Dutch international to join the club on a free transfer, Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively.

However, despite the chatter, the Liverpool captain insists that he has no idea on where his future lies, much to the annoyance of Simon Jordan.

Martin Keown says you ‘have to believe’ Virgil van Dijk

Speaking on talkSPORT the day after (17 March) Liverpool lost to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, host Jim White asked Jordan about Van Dijk’s contract situation.

The former Crystal Palace chairman responded by saying the Dutch defender wasn’t exactly a “role model” when it came to conducting a transfer negotiation, as the former Celtic man was sanctioned for talking to the Reds behind Southampton’s back, before his move to Anfield.

Jordan then pointed out Van Dijk was a “33-year-old man, not a child, not a 17-year-old graduate coming out of an academy” and he would not necessarily take the Liverpool defender’s words about not knowing what his future held at face value.

White then asked former Arsenal defender Keown if he believed the Dutch international’s statement about “genuinely” having no idea about his Liverpool future.

The ex-England international said: "You have to believe that because he's not completely certain. Jim, what happens is, as you get the other side of January [transfer window], the door opens, and all sorts of offers come through.

“They turn your head, they turn your head. And that's probably where we are right now with these Liverpool players.”

Arne Slot cannot afford to lose his three best players in the same transfer window

Football Insider Verdict

Put simply, the loss of Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold would be devastating for Liverpool moving forward.

Not just because of the significance they hold both on and off the pitch for the club, but also, replacing them all is simply not financially feasible.

Dean Huijsen has been touted as a Van Dijk replacement, and would likely cost around £50million, if reports are to be believed about his release clause, but if Liverpool cannot convince the Spaniard to join with other clubs interested, the next best options will be significantly pricier.

Salah has been the best player in the world this season, and finding his replacement would likely cost double Huijsen’s price, Alexander-Arnold is likely the most replaceable, with Conor Bradley waiting in the wings, but the Northern Irishman’s injury issues mean a reliable alternative is necessary.

Even if Liverpool do manage to finance their replacements, their squad is in need of replacements in other positions, with left-back and striker an area of concern that needs addressing.

Put simply, the Reds need to find a solution to at least two of their star player’s contract disputes, or else run the risk of being unable to build a competitive side.

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