Alan Shearer sends warning to Virgil van Dijk over Liverpool contract talks

Alan Shearer reckons captain Virgil Van Dijk could do the business for Liverpool for another three years - but he might not get that length of deal.

The stylish defender is out of contract at the end of the season - like Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold - and can start talking to overseas sides from as early as January 1 if he desired moving away from Anfield. The Dutchman, 33, has said “discussions are ongoing” with Liverpool but not added much more than that. Some fans are worried that means he could end up moving on.

However, Shearer feels there should be no concerns for them or the iconic centre-half who has been such a huge success for the Reds since his £75m transfer from Southampton in 2018. He said: “Virgil Van Dijk has said he is talking to Liverpool, but we all know that will have been happening anyway.

“He will perhaps want a longer deal, as the others may do. But because of his and Mo Salah's age, Liverpool may be a bit reluctant to give them a long-term contract. I wouldn't take too much from Van Dijk's comments though. It’s fine that they're talking but I'd fully expect that."

Van Dijk has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup (twice) since joining Liverpool. They are the current Premier League leaders having won seven of their opening eight games, including beating Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday, conceding just three goals along the way.

In an interview with Betfair, Shearer added: "Virgil Van Dijk still has so much to offer Liverpool, for the next two to three years, and he was excellent once again against Chelsea.”

Speaking ahead of the midweek win over RB Leipzig, Van Dijk gave an update on talks, insisting that his full focus are on this season, rather than what happens after it.

"I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don't know, we will see what happens in the future. My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else," he said.

"What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see."