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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Virgil van Dijk reveals timeline for new Liverpool contract announcement as Mohamed Salah drops hint

Virgil van Dijk has hinted there will be an official announcement on his new Liverpool contract this week.

The club captain’s current deal expires at the end of the season but it is understood that a new two-year contract has been agreed.

Van Dijk follows Mohamed Salah in committing his future to Liverpool, after the club announced last week that the Egyptian had extended as well after a season of speculation.

Liverpool fans have been keen for Van Dijk’s new deal to be made official, but the centre-back spoke after his side’s win over West Ham on Sunday and said the focus would first be on the club marking the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster this week.

“I think first, all the focus should be going to the Hillsborough anniversary,” Van Dijk said.

“I think that's the main thing and then we'll see. The focus will still be on Leicester, but maybe there's some news. I know … but I don't know.”

Liverpool travel to take on Leicester on Sunday in the Premier League, with it appearing increasingly likely that an announcement will come before then.

The Reds are just six points away from securing the league title, and could do it against the Foxes if Arsenal lose to Ipswich earlier in the day.

Salah and Van Dijk gave a post-match interview after the win over West Ham and the Egyptian addressed both the extension of his contract and the imminent news of his captain doing likewise.

"I am glad that we managed to do that early, before the end of the season and hopefully Virgil will also be next," he said.

With Van Dijk laughing next to him, Salah added: "I'm just saying hopefully! Look he can do whatever he wants but I would love to see him here again next year."

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