Exclusive: How Liverpool are feeling about Virgil van Dijk's contract extension after unexplained delay

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Exclusive with Graeme Bailey.

Liverpool are still confident that Virgil van Dijk will sign a new contract to stay at the club, Rousing The Kop understands.

Like long-term teammates Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk has entered the final six months of his contract at Anfield.

In contrast to both Salah and Alexander-Arnold, there has been confidence throughout Van Dijk’s own saga that the Dutchman will extend his stay at Liverpool. However, with time ticking away, nothing has come to fruition.

Nevertheless, RTK have been informed that there is still confidence within Liverpool that their captain will put pen to paper on a new deal.

There is so far little indication as to the nature of the current delay, but RTK understands that it remains a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Van Dijk extends.

Liverpool still confident of Virgil van Dijk contract

Van Dijk has been terrific for Liverpool this season. The 33-year-old has not missed a minute of action in the Premier League or Champions League.

Given that there has been such confidence that Van Dijk will still be at Liverpool next year, fans have become worried that the Dutchman has still not signed his new deal.

But RTK have been told that Van Dijk’s camp are still keen for the No.4 to stay with the Reds, while the player himself has never wanted anything different.

Although things are taking longer than expected, everything still points towards Van Dijk being a Liverpool player next term.

READ MORE: Real Madrid have made their stance clear on signing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool in January

In the meantime, recent reports surfaced in Spain that Real Madrid had turned down the chance to sign Van Dijk after being approached about a transfer in 2024.

However, RTK understands this not to be the case, and that the centre-back’s only priority has been to stay at Liverpool.

For their part, Madrid are understood to have no interest in signing Van Dijk, with Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Arsenal’s William Saliba more concrete targets for the European champions.

What about Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah?

Although there is confidence within Liverpool over the future of Van Dijk, RTK understands that the same level of hope does not apply to either Alexander-Arnold or Salah.

Alexander-Arnold is understood to have now decided on a move to Real Madrid, although the right-back has not officially communicated this to Liverpool.

As for Salah, RTK have been informed that the Egyptian has a contract offer on the table from Saudi Arabia, which would put him on par with Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-earner in world football.

Liverpool are still understood to be in talks with Salah over a stay at Anfield, but the Pro League sides are pushing hard to get a player they see as being the jewel in their crown.