A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Virgil van Dijk issues a clear admission on his contract and new manager Arne Slot looks to test a Reds prospect in pre-season.
Justin Bijlow admits transfer interest from Arsenal and Liverpool is ‘very nice’
Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow has admitted that interest in a transfer from Arsenal and Liverpool is ‘very nice’. But while the 26-year-old finds it an honour to be linked with the two Premier League giants, he will stay committed to his Eredivisie team as long as he is playing.
Bijlow also refuses to let speculation about his future at De Kuip disrupt his preparations for Euro 2024. Ronald Koeman included the shot-stopper in his provisional Netherlands side as one of four goalkeepers. Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo made their 30.
Koeman has included Bijlow having kept nine clean sheets during his 24 appearances across the 2023/24 season. The 26-year-old missed two lengthy spells due to injury but returned to fitness in time for Euro 2024. His efforts even have Arsenal and Liverpool displaying interest.
“Those are two very nice clubs,” Bijlow has told Voetbalzone. “Of course, it’s always nice to be mentioned at big clubs. What I’m just saying [is] I’m ambitious. As long as I’m playing at Feyenoord, I’ll give it my all and, first, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team.”
Read more about what Bijlow has said about a transfer from Feyenoord, here.
Virgil van Dijk confirms Liverpool have not discussed a new contract
Netherlands enforcer Virgil van Dijk has confirmed that Liverpool are yet to approach him to discuss a new contract. The Reds captain will have just two years remaining on his terms this summer. But Jurgen Klopp resigning as their manager saw Liverpool have to shift their focus.
Klopp confirmed that he would step down at the end of the 2023/24 season in January. But Liverpool only announced Arne Slot as the German’s successor following their final game of the Premier League season. Now, the Reds are focusing on building out their backroom staff.
So, given what has unfolded on Merseyside recently, Van Dijk is not surprised that Liverpool have not focused their time on awarding the 32-year-old a new contract. He is also sure that the Anfield natives will approach him when the time is right to discuss the defender’s future.
“A new contract hasn’t yet been discussed,” Van Dijk told De Telegraaf. “That isn’t surprising because the club was completely busy with the new trainer, the staff and everything.
“Then it doesn’t make sense to start working with players. You can always talk and we will see how that will go.”
Read more about what Van Dijk has had to say about his contract at Liverpool, here.
Arne Slot will review Sepp van den Berg despite Liverpool setting a £20m price tag
Liverpool have now slapped a price tag of £20m on Sepp van den Berg ahead of the summer transfer window. That is according to The Athletic, but it notes that the Reds will not sell the 22-year-old before Arne Slot can run the rule over their defender in Liverpool’s pre-season.
Slot wants to review what the Dutchman can offer at Anfield after attracting interest from a host of European clubs following his loan spell with 1FSV Mainz 05. The Bundesliga club are one side very keen on securing a permanent transfer after he helped them avoid relegation.
Van den Berg’s performances at the MEWA Arena may move the Liverpool prospect beyond their financial limits, however. Brentford and Southampton are keen to see what he can give in the Premier League, while VfL Wolfsburg want the Netherlands U21 ace back in Germany.
Yet Slot wants to see what Van den Berg can offer in pre-season as Liverpool look to replace Joel Matip. The Anfield squad will let the 32-year-old leave at the end of his contract in June after playing just 10 Premier League games for 782 minutes through the 2023/24 campaign.
Read more about what Slot has planned for Van Den Berg at Liverpool, here.