Virgil van Dijk makes Liverpool transfer demand and lifts lid on FSG's plans for 'big summer'

In his discussions over a new contract, it is clear Virgil van Dijk did not just talk about his own personal requirements. The captain will soon lift the trophy for the second time in his eight seasons at the club and the margin of triumph this time around could be as empathic as the 18-point victory of 2019-20.

But , Van Dijk is demanding the club compete for top talent in the next transfer window in order to maintain their current Premier League supremacy. And he has clearly been told there will be serious activity.

He says: “Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer. I think they're planning to make it a big summer, so we all have to trust the board, as a Liverpool-connected fan, to do the right job. I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years.”

And with no major international tournament for men this summer, Van Dijk is convinced a full pre-season with will be hugely beneficial to a team that is likely to win this Premier League in a canter. Van Dijk explains: “I think we one hundred percent can improve. If you take it all the way back to the [previous] summer, I didn't have a proper pre-season.

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“You don't have time to work on what the manager really wants in terms of a training camp. This year, there is a training camp and there is time for the team to work on what the manager wants and I think that will then improve the team.

"There are still so many things to improve. I think a proper pre-season would definitely help the club in order to be even more consistent than we have already been.”

Considering they have lost only two of their 32 Premier League games, that would take some doing. Liverpool have been relentless but there have been some claims that the standard below Arne Slot’s side has not been great this season.

Van Dijk does not agree, insisting: “We shouldn't forget the quality that the Premier League possesses, especially this season in my opinion. It's incredible how everyone can beat everyone. Brentford got a draw at . Chelsea-Ipswich was a draw, we obviously lost against last week … listen, it's just difficult.”

But even though it might be difficult, Liverpool will soon get the job done, probably in the next fortnight. And when it is confirmed, the Premier League triumph will be the perfect way for Van Dijk to mark the imminent new contract.

He says: “We are two wins, six points away from glory. I know what it means to the club and I know what it will bring us if it happens. Most of the players don't so when it happens, it will be beautiful … but we still have a job to do.”

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