"He’s shown he is still the best option for the club" - Jaap Stam insists Liverpool superstar deserves a new contract with club

Former Manchester United star Jaap Stam believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk needs to be given a new contract. The Netherlands international is in the final year of his deal at Anfield, and could be leaving the Merseysiders at the end of the current campaign.

Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold's agreements will also expire in the summer of 2025. Claiming that the former Southampton defender deserves at least another year's contract, Stam told Sport Lens (via GOAL):

"I think he deserves a new contract and a new deal, maybe only for one season, and then you see where you go from there. You have to look at who would replace him in the transfer market or the academy but that’s extremely hard to do."

"It’s going to be very difficult to replace a player like Virgil and he deserves another one or two years, he’s shown he is still the best option for the club," he added.

Even at the age of 33, Van Dijk is playing a pivotal role in Liverpool's title charge this campaign. He's made 21 appearances across competitions this year, bagging two goals and an assist.

The Reds are currently atop the Premier League standings, two points ahead of second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand. Van Dijk is likely to start for his team in their upcoming league outing against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (December 22).

The Dutchman has played 291 matches across competitions for Liverpool over the years, bagging 25 goals and 13 assists.

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Pundit claims Trent Alexander Arnold will leave Liverpool in 2025

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Pundit Darren Bent believes Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the Reds in 2025. His employers may be tempted to sell him in January to help secure a transfer fee or else the Merseysiders could lose him for free in the summer.

Conor Bradley has proved more than capable of playing at right-back in the England international's absence.

Amid these circumstances, Bent told talkSPORT (via CaughtOffSide):

“Now if you’re asking me which one do I believe will probably leave it would be Trent, I think he’ll probably sign, maybe with Real Madrid it looks like, but I think Salah and Van Dijk will stay."

Alexander-Arnold came up the ranks at Liverpool and has gone on to make 330 senior appearances across competitions, bagging 19 goals and 84 assists. He's won the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League trophies once each, among other honors at Anfield.