Liverpool look to lock down star duo to new contracts amid exit speculation

Jordan Henderson Alisson Virgil van Dijk Liverpool

Liverpool have put new contracts for Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson Becker to the top of their list of priorities, it is claimed.

The centre-back and goalkeeper have been instrumental in the Reds’ rise since joining in January and summer 2018 respectively, with Liverpool only losing once in the Premier League during the time they have been together at the club.

While Liverpool appear to have risen to a perch as the strongest club in the world, having won the Champions League and Club World Cup in 2019 and maintaining a huge lead in the Premier League this season, rumours surrounding interest in their top players has not gone away.

Recently, it was claimed that Italian giants Juventus were plotting a huge bid for Van Dijk as they looked to take advantage of the Dutchman’s apparent willingness for a new challenge in the later years of his career.

The Sun claim that the Serie A champions’ interest is real, and they would be willing to spend a club record £150m on the 28-year-old.

However, The Independent reveal that Liverpool hope to ward off interest in their biggest stars by offering them new contracts – with Alisson and Van Dijk hopefully following the likes of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold in signing new deals.

Robertson was rewarded with a five-year extension in January 2019 after growing into one of Europe’s best full-backs since his move from Hull City, while fellow full-back Alexander-Arnold penned fresh terms with his boyhood club in the same month.

 

One year on, Liverpool are now set to replicate the formula by handing improved deals to Alisson and Van Dijk, giving more positive signs that they are getting their approach right in the transfer market.

It is claimed that Liverpool are confident no clubs could tempt Alisson or Van Dijk away, contrary to the rumours, and they do not think they could sign comparable replacements.

The only players Liverpool are expected to let leave in the near future are Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana, both of whom have struggled to rediscover their top form after injury problems.

Meanwhile, the same report reveals that Jurgen Klopp was keen to bring a Borussia Dortmund full-back to Anfield, before changing his mind for one key reason.

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