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Tue, 18 March

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Ronald Koeman sheds light on Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool future

Liverpool have dominated the Premier League this season under Arne Slot, sitting 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who still face a daunting trip to Anfield. The Reds have been nearly unstoppable, losing just once in the league, making a collapse that would let Arsenal back into the title race seem unthinkable. However, recent weeks have brought stumbles, with Liverpool bowing out of the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain and falling to Newcastle in the League Cup final. Despite Slot enjoying a relatively smooth ride until now, the looming contract situations of Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all set to be free agents in the summer, have cast a shadow over the club. Van Dijk, long considered the most likely to extend his stay, is now surrounded by growing doubts as the season nears its climax. Koeman, speaking about his captain, offered insight into Van Dijk's mindset. "Whether he signs with Liverpool or another big club, that's all good for me," he said. "We'll see what happens, and what I understand from Virgil is that he is still looking for the level he is at now." Adding fuel to the fire, Sky in France recently reported that Van Dijk "feels his time is up" at Liverpool, hinting at a possible move elsewhere. Journalist Sacha Tavolieri elaborated, writing, "This season could very well be Virgil van Dijk's last at Liverpool. Sources close to the dressing room say the Dutchman wants one final adventure abroad before hanging up his boots." At 33, with Jurgen Klopp, his mentor, gone, and no new deal in sight with Liverpool's American owners, the centre-back appears ready for a change. Saudi club Al Hilal have tabled an offer of twenty million euros net, according to L'Équipe, but Tavolieri suggested Van Dijk leans toward Major League Soccer in the United States over the Saudi Pro League. "A fan of American culture, he could follow Kevin De Bruyne's path and chase an exotic dream far from Europe's pressures," Tavolieri noted. Meanwhile, a post-match chat with PSG president Nasser El Khelaïfi and sporting director Luis Campos after Liverpool's Champions League defeat sparked further intrigue, though no concrete talks have begun. Neither the club nor Van Dijk have commented officially on his future, leaving the rumour mill churning. So, will Van Dijk chase dollars in the desert, test himself in one last European hurrah, or take the Hollywood route across the Atlantic? For now, Liverpool fans can only watch and wait as their captain's next move hangs in the balance.

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