Virgil van Dijk offers blunt update on Liverpool future after Champions League exit

Virgil van Dijk has insisted anyone claiming to know how talks over his Liverpool future will end are “lying” as he has no idea whether he will remain at Anfield beyond this summer.

The Dutch captain is in the final few months of his contract and there has been significant speculation that, despite interest from a number of Europe’s biggest sides, he will ultimately put pen to paper on a contract extension.

However, that whisper of optimism for Liverpool fans was snuffed out after Tuesday’s Champions League elimination as Van Dijk argued he was still clueless as to where he will be playing his football next season.

“I have no idea,” he argued. “I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely. I have no idea at the moment.

“It is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There’s just… I keep saying the same thing. Listen, there are ten games to go, and that is my full focus. If there is news, you guys will know it. I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes but that is about it.

“At the moment, I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”

The likes of Real Madrid, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with moves for Van Dijk, and speculation over a possible free transfer to the latter was sparked when the defender was spotted in talks with PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos after Tuesday’s defeat.

Liverpool have plenty of contract headaches to deal with this summer. Alongside Van Dijk, star forward Mohamed Salah is approaching the end of his own deal and reports suggest he has offered himself to Barcelona as he seeks a resolution on his future.

Meanwhile, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is also on an expiring contract, with long-term admirers Real Madrid pushing to finalise a deal for the England international.

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