Van Dijk is one of three senior players — alongside Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold — whose contracts are running down, raising questions about the future core of the team. However, speaking to the press after Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Fulham on Sunday, the Netherlands international sounded more hopeful about staying.
"There is progress, yeah," Van Dijk said when asked about contract talks. "I don't know [if I'll stay], we'll see. These are internal discussions, and we'll see what happens. I love the club, I love the fans, and they were there for us again. We really wanted to reward them."
He also encouraged supporters to keep backing the team as they prepare for their next home match: "I want them to be there on Sunday again [against West Ham] and make the stadium an amazing venue like always for us."
Despite the defeat at Craven Cottage — Liverpool's first in 26 Premier League games — the Reds still hold an 11-point lead at the top of the table, positioning themselves strongly in the title race.
Reflecting on the performance, Van Dijk admitted it was a disappointing outing. "It was a poor day at the office for all of us," he said. "There were individual moments that should have been dealt with better. It was not acceptable as a team."
Since arriving at Liverpool in a then-record £75 million transfer from Southampton in 2018, Van Dijk has become a cornerstone of Jurgen Klopp's side. He has made 323 appearances and scored 26 goals for the club. His leadership and defensive prowess have been instrumental in Liverpool's success, playing a central role in securing the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and two EFL Cups.
While his future remains undecided, Van Dijk's comments suggest there's still a strong desire on both sides to continue their journey together.
