Virgil van Dijk has become the latest Liverpool player to put pen to paper on a new long term deal, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2025.
The Dutch international follows Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Alisson as the next key member of the squad to agree fresh terms.
Van Dijk, 30, has recently returned to action after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October last year, that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign.
He joined the Reds from Southampton in January 2018 in a world record fee for a defender at the time and he quickly established himself as a key player for Jurgen Klopp.
Regarded as 'one of the greatest of all time' after he was voted the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and UEFA Defender of the Season in 2018-19, it's no surprise that Reds were pleased with the news.
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One fan replied to the announcement: "The best centre back in the world committing his future to my club, I’ve had worse Fridays!"
Another tweeted: "Excellent news! It's so important that the core players of this squad are staying together for the next few years!! The next ones to sign new deals are Mo and Sadio!"
With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson among the players with contracts expiring in 2023, fans were quick to express their desire to see further extensions.
@IceMinisterLFC said: "Great great news. Much needed. Hendo next."
@AnilDLFC shared: "Massive! We need Salah, Mane, Hendo and Robbo sorted now."
@NavnLFC posted: "Next Salah Henderson Firmino Mane In that order!"
@Rayhaanparwez tweeted: "Great news. Hopefully Salah and Henderson next!"
It's welcomed news, though, as fans recognise the importance of Van Dijk and a player of his calibre committing the best years of his career to the club.
@NotoriousLFC shared: "Van Dijk is the best CB I have seen at the club and probably best CB in the PL ever, delighted he will be here for another few years."
@PPatel_7 said: "Brilliant news! Time to tackle this season."
@LFC_nino tweeted: "Positive news. let's take that positivity into the new season."
@LFCAlexB posted: "Brilliant news. We have got some of our best players tied down with contracts this summer and is great knowing they will be with us for a good long period!"
@NepaliReds added: "Brilliant! From worrying about our best players leaving every summer to making sure they actually stay with us! Well done for getting this sorted."
@LFC890459 tweeted: "So nice to see LFC keeping their best players in their primes. In years gone by Van Dijk would of been away after his monster season 2 years back."
After signing his contract, Van Dijk Liverpoolfc.com : “It is something to be very proud of, that I am very proud of, that my wife and my kids are very proud of and obviously my agency.
“All the hard work we’ve put in so far continues and I am looking forward to what the future brings together with Liverpool. I’m delighted, very happy and proud.”
