via echo
Virgil van Dijk has confirmed Liverpool have formally opened contract talks with his representatives
the captain insisting his full commitment remains at Anfield
Van Dijk says he is hopeful of a resolution before the terms expire at the end of the campaign.
Like Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Netherlands captain Van Dijk is free to speak to clubs outside of England On Jan 1
the 33-year-old is adamant that his "very full focus" is only on matters at Liverpool
The centre-back is believed to be behind only Salah as the highest earner in the Reds' squad
there has been speculation as a result over how willing Liverpool's decision makers would be to hand out improved terms to a player who will be 34 before the start of next season
Van Dijk was tentatively linked with a summer move to the Saudi Pro League but Liverpool never had any offers from the Middle East
negotiations are now ongoing about a deal that would keep Arne Slot's skipper at Anfield beyond the end of the current campaign.
Van Dijk
"I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don't know, we will see what happens in the future,"
"My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else.
"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. I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun.
"What the future brings I have no idea at the moment, but like I said in my previous answer, discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it's time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys (the media) will know it as well.
“But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see
“My own form is fine. I will let others do the talking, I don't want to talk about myself. It is not me who is not conceding, it is all of us who are not conceding. I'm the captain, yes, but I am feeling very fine."
The win against Enzo Maresca's side saw Slot's men regain top spot in the Premier League after they were briefly usurped by Manchester City
The result against the Londoners was the first of a difficult seven-game run between now and the next international break
Van Dijk commented
"Listen, on paper it looks like it is a very tough run of games and it is, and also what makes it difficult is we travel and it is about staying fit, keeping the rhythm.
"But I am looking forward to it. This is what you want to do, you want to play on the highest level and perform and show what we can do. So let's go for it.
"It was a difficult game I think, for both teams, especially coming after the international break, it is never easy.
“We saw that after the last international break but I think it was a very good team performance today and a well deserved win.
"Everyone can have their opinion but I know, like I think a lot of people know opinions can change every three days now in terms of [people saying] someone can win the league and someone can't. I think there is no point listening to any of that. I don't do that.
"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."
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