Virgil van Dijk claims he has ‘FOUR more years at the highest level’ as Liverpool star drops major contract hint – just six days before he can negotiate a transfer with another club

Virgil van Dijk has claimed that he has ‘three or four years’ left at the highest level as the Liverpool star dropped a major hint over his contract situation. 

Van Dijk, along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, is among three Liverpool stars who’s current deals are set to expire at the end of the season.

Before that though, in January, the trio of players will be eligible to discuss a free transfer with other clubs – given they’ll have less than six months left on their deals.

While rumours continue to circulate over which will be offered a new contract, Dutch star Van Dijk has suggested that he can still play at the highest level for a few years.

Speaking to Amazon Prime, he said: ‘I love the club, the club loves me. I love the fans, the fans love me and it is a very good foundation to be successful. 

‘In my opinion I can play for another three, four years at least at the highest level. We will see what the future brings.’

Arne Slot’s side are yet to reach a contract extension with the Netherlands centre-back

Earlier this month, Van Dijk was offered a new deal, but there was reportedly no breakthrough in negotiations with the 33-year-old.

In the same interview, Van Dijk suggested that he has aspirations to become the first Dutch captain to lead his team to the Premier League title. 

‘It’s not about me but I would love to be the first one [Dutch player],’ Van Dijk added. ‘I think it is there. That is what we work for as a team.’ 

Earlier in the week, Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand all weighed in on Liverpool’s contract conundrum.

When posed with the ultimatum to choose one of the three players to stay at Liverpool, Carragher singled out Van Dijk.

‘I’d probably say Van Dijk, but I’m pretty much certain Van Dijk and Salah will stay,’ the Liverpool legend said.

‘The one worry is Trent because of the situation he finds himself in, but I’m certain the other two will sign.’

Redknapp shared Carragher’s sentiments, arguing that the Dutchman is an irreplaceable behemoth in Liverpool’s back line.

‘I would go with Virgil. Yeah, because he’s just imperious, and he’s still playing at such a high level, I wouldn’t want to lose any of them,’ he said.

‘I think Liverpool have always had the ability, even when I was there throughout the years, [to replace superstars].

Mohamed Salah (middle) is also on an expiring deal with the Merseyside giants

Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is the final star in the Liverpool trio who have expiring deals

‘Where Rush goes and then Fowler comes along, and then Owen comes along, and then Torres comes along, and Suarez comes along, and then Salah.

‘They just seem to turn strikers into superstars. So they will find someone. But I just don’t know, in world football, where you could find someone to replace Virgil.’ 

Ferdinand’s judgement made the decision unanimous – the former Tottenham striker also stressed the importance of the 2019 Ballon d’Or runner-up in Liverpool’s defence.

‘The way [Van Dijk] bosses that Liverpool back line, and the way he’s just so calm, he would be the one that I would be desperate to keep,’ he said.