'I want Virgil to be here next season!' - Arne Slot publicly pleads with Liverpool owners to tie Van Dijk down to new contract after captain admitted uncertainty over future

Liverpool are sweating on the futures of their three biggest stars this season as Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk's deals are set to run out this summer.

Van Dijk has been a major star for Liverpool ever since he joined the Merseyside club in 2018, while he was named the club captain in 2023 after Jordan Henderson left the Reds. The towering centre half has recently admitted he is unsure whether he will be at Liverpool next season, while he was pictured with PSG chiefs following Tuesday's loss to the French giants in the Champions League.

Speaking to the media about Van Dijk's future, Slot said: "I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face. I don’t know what’s happening next season as well, in terms of results. But that’s not what you mean.

"The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season. All the rest, talks about his contract, that’s not what I do over here."

Questioned on whether it affects his planning for next season, the Dutchman replied: "Interesting way of asking things! No, it doesn’t, not for me."

Van Dijk has the chance to lift another piece of silverware as Liverpool captain on Sunday when the Reds take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.