Liverpool make contract offer to skipper Virgil van Dijk, set to hold talks with 2 other key players in near future: Reports

Liverpool have reportedly made a contract offer to their skipper Virgil van Dijk amid uncertainty regarding his future. As claimed by reputed journalist David Ornstein, the Reds made their opening offer a while back.

As per Ornstein, there has not been any breakthrough in negotiations as of now while the length of the contract is yet to be finalised. Ornstein has also claimed that the Merseyside giants are also ready to enter contract talks with both Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool have made a brilliant start to life under their new manager Arne Slot despite many believing they could struggle this season. Slot has filled in Jurgen Klopp's void with relative ease as his side sit at the top of the Premier League and Champions League table.

However, despite everything going so well for the club, there has been concerns among the fans. The star trio of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all set to enter the final six months of their deals at Anfield.

All three have been hugely important for the Reds over the years and have been crucial in Arne Slot's system. Van Dijk has been in superb form this season and is by far the best centre-back in the world even at the age of 33.

Salah, on the other hand, has been one of Europe's best attackers this season having produced 13 goals and 11 assists in 20 games. Alexander-Arnold has just two assists in 16 games this season but has been pivotal for Liverpool with his passing range.

Losing all of them next summer that too on free transfers would be a major setback for the Merseyside club. We will have to wait and see whether they can convince their star trio to sign new deals.

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Virgil van Dijk hails Liverpool teammate

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has waxed lyrical about Caoimhín Kelleher for how well he has done for the Reds this season. While filling in for injured Alisson Becker, the Irishman has done so well that Arne Slot's side have hardly missed the Brazilian.

The Merseyside giants were handed a major blow early into the season when Alisson suffered an injury in October. But Kelleher has done incredibly well deputizing for one of the best keepers in world football.

Virgil van Dijk, who has seen Kelleher coming through the club's youth ranks over the years, has lauded the Republic of Ireland international. He said, as quoted by TBR Football:

“Yeah no, a fantastic goalkeeper, a fantastic human being. It’s never easy to be a backup goalkeeper, but he has an unbelievably amazing goalkeeper ahead of him. The time he’s been playing he’s been absolutely outstanding."

The Liverpool and Netherlands skipper added:

"I enjoy seeing how much he’s improved and playing with confidence. I remember one of his first games, he won us a penalty shootout, he’s come a long way as well and he’s an amazing goalkeeper.”

Kelleher has proven to be a solid backup for Alisson over the years having come through Liverpool's youth system. The 26-year-old has made 58 appearances for the Reds till date, conceding just 66 goals while keeping 21 clean sheets.

The Irishman has been tipped to leave Anfield next summer when Giorgi Mamardashvili finally joins the club following his loan spell with Valencia. The Reds signed the Georgian from Valencia this summer but immediately loaned him back to Los Ches for this season.