Liverpool captain Virgin van Dijk has confirmed he is in talks about extending his stay at Anfield, praising Arne Slot’s extra focus on defence as a reason for their blistering start to the season.
Van Dijk, who is out of contract in the summer along with Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, hasn’t let uncertainty over his future interfere with leading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League.
‘Discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it’s time to make a decision, everyone will know it as well,’ he said.
‘What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see.
‘My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else.
Liverpool captain Virgin van Dijk has confirmed he's in talks about extending his stay at Anfield
The Dutch defender's (left) current deal with the Reds expires at the end of the season
‘I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun. Right now, my full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see.’
Slot has won 10 of his first 11 games as Jurgen Klopp’s successor in all competitions and Sunday’s 2-1 win against Chelsea kept them a point ahead of Manchester City with the Reds conceding only three goals in their eight league games.
Van Dijk thinks the biggest improvement has come in how the team is more difficult to score against.
‘I think it is the work we put in and it starts up front. That is the most important thing,’ he said.
‘You saw Darwin (Nunez) coming on against Chelsea, winning balls on the edge of our box and that is a good sign.
Van Dijk praised Arne Slot ’s extra focus on defence as a reason for Liverpool's bright start
‘It's obviously a good basis to have because if you are defensively solid and you're not conceding many goals or any goals at all, I think that is always a good way to success.
‘I think at the start of the season, we saw numbers about what happens if your opponent is in the final third, how many bodies do we have behind the ball and I would say that has definitely changed.
‘I wouldn't say it's [just] the last line and the goalkeepers making a difference, especially it's the guys in front of us again, so it's a team effort.
‘I know how it works, me and Ibou (Ibrahima Konate) as the centre-backs or the goalkeepers will get the credit for the clean sheets but it's all about everyone in the team and credit to everyone who is doing that.
‘And I am happy with the clean sheets, so hopefully we can get a lot more this season and be successful.’
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table after beating Chelsea on Sunday
Liverpool face a tough week with a Champions League trip to face RB Leipzig on Wednesday followed by facing Arsenal at The Emirates on Sunday.
‘I focus on one game at a time, I want to be successful, I want to win trophies in every competition we're in, I want to try and win it.
‘We know how difficult it is but I am going to give it a very good go I think,’ added van Dijk.