The incoming manager of the Reds, Arne Slot will have a long to-do list as he takes over the reins from Jurgen Klopp.
One of his priorities will be settling the future of skipper Virgil van Dijk, whose current deal with the club expires in 2025. The Dutchman will be nearly 34 when the deal ends, and Liverpool legend Graeme Souness isn’t convinced he will extend his stay at Anfield.
Speaking on William Hill’s new podcast, Three Up Front, the former Scotland midfielder questioned the defender’s happiness and believes the new manager must quickly convince him of his vision for the club.
Souness said: “If you’d asked me about this a month ago, I would’ve said whoever takes over from Jürgen Klopp is inheriting the most fabulous situation, but I can’t say that anymore. With the way that they’ve performed this month, Liverpool have now got a big question mark against their character.
“The fact that Virgil van Dijk’s contract end is coming up worries me, he’s 33 in July, and if his agent were to call up the sporting director at Real Madrid, they’d take him. I just look at him now and the noise he’s been making, which he hasn’t done throughout his career, and I think he’s obviously unhappy.
“He’ll have asked questions about the new manager already and will be the one that Arne Slot has to win over. Slot must get Van Dijk onside – he’s the captain – but Van Dijk might not fancy him.
“He might’ve heard something on the grapevine and may think that this guy won’t take the team where they want to be, the clock is ticking on his career, maybe he needs to go someplace else to win more silverware. He has won two of the big ones with Liverpool, but he’s not a serial winner.”
