Arne Slot said Liverpool’s only focus is on securing the two wins needed to secure the Premier League title, after Virgil van Dijk indicated his contract saga could be resolved this week.
The Dutchman gave Liverpool a fortunate victory against West Ham with an 89th-minute header and celebrated by kissing the badge on his shirt in front of the Kop. The captain’s goal means Liverpool require only six points from the remaining six games to seal the championship.
Asked whether, like Mohamed Salah, he is close to signing a new two-year contract at Liverpool, Van Dijk replied: “I can tell you I’m very proud today to captain my 100th game for Liverpool. And it was an emotional day, because of the Hillsborough anniversary.
“The main focus was to get three points, and get a little closer to all of our dreams. Everyone knows how much I love this club, and let’s see what next week will look like.”
Slot played down talk on another important contract extension for Liverpool, however, and insisted the focus is entirely on the pitch.
The Liverpool head coach said: “I think he means let’s see what next week brings when we play Leicester City because that, at this moment in time, is by far the biggest thing this club is looking at.
“Two more wins and the first 32 games have shown us how difficult it is – not only for us but for every team – to win a game of football. The competition has never been as strong as it is this season and that’s what makes it so hard to win a game of football.
“We still have to win two, so we should be completely focused on that. If in the meantime a contract extension happens [then fine] but my full focus is on Leicester and I’m sure Virgil’s is as well.”
Slot admitted Van Dijk’s winner came as “a big relief”, with Liverpool indebted to Alisson for keeping West Ham at bay until Andy Robertson’s late own goal. “After West Ham scored and the way the second half went it felt to me that West Ham could score again,” the head coach said. “But our fans and players thought differently.”
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The West Ham manager, Graham Potter, claimed his team’s second‑half performance was the best of his short tenure, but ultimately without reward. “The performance was really positive, probably the best since we have been here,” he said.
“The balance between defence and attack was good against the best team in the league. We showed resilience which hasn’t always been there and grew into the game.”
Source: theguardian.com
