Former Everton manager Ronald Koeman has reportedly helped persuade Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk to extend his stay at Anfield.

Van Dijk is one of the big three Liverpool names who will be out of contract this summer, including Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but it was reported recently that the Reds have made a big breakthrough in negotiations with the Netherlands international.

In fact, it is indicated Van Dijk‘s contract extension could be officially announced on December 27, when the club initially agreed a deal with the now 33-year-old in 2017.

And now the Daily mirror reports that Koeman visited the influential Liverpool captain at his Manchester home earlier this season, urging him not to retire from international football after the disappointment of England’s victory over the Netherlands in semi-final of Euro 2024.

He wants Van Dijk to lead the Dutch side to the 2026 World Cup final and Koeman has made it clear that only those playing at the highest level will be considered for selection, with the Premier League being the pinnacle according to the former Toffees boss.

There is a lot of interest from the Saudi Pro League in Van Dijk and Salah, with former Reds midfielder and Van Dijk’s close friend Gini Wijnaldum currently plying his trade in the Middle East.

However, Wijnaldum lost his place in the Dutch team, as did former Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn after moving to Saudi Arabia and former Manchester United striker Memphis Depay after moving to Brazilian club Corinthians, Koeman making a clear statement in the process.

It is now only a matter of time before Van Dijk becomes the first of Anfield’s famous trio to commit to the Premier League leaders amid a stunning start to the season from the men of Arne Slot, both at national level and in the Champions League.

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What about Alexander-Arnold and Salah?

TEAMtalk’s understanding of Van Dijk’s situation is that a two-year extension is the most likely outcome. Such a deal would keep Van Dijk at Liverpool until the end of the 2026/27 season – when he will be 35.

Our insider, Fraser Gillan, has also learned that between Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah, it was Van Dijk who was always the most likely to agree a new deal first.

Once his deal is officially confirmed, attention will shift to the futures of Alexander-Arnold and Salah.

Sources previously informed us that Liverpool remain calm over the Alexander-Arnold situation despite Real Madrid’s obsession with the right-back.

Alexander-Arnold currently lags behind Van Dijk and Salah in terms of wages, although the offer Liverpool intend to make will put him closer to the club’s top earners.

What’s even more encouraging for Liverpool are claims from sources that Alexander-Arnold has made it clear that he wants to captain Liverpool one day.

That opportunity will come when Van Dijk leaves, although that dream can only come true if Alexander-Arnold stays.

Regarding Salah, Liverpool sources are adamant that, despite his recent “more out than in” comments, talks are ongoing and will move forward in the coming weeks.

It is also essential to note that comments are sometimes made in public to advance agreements or convince the other side of the negotiating table. There is a feeling in this case that Salah’s comments were intended to give Liverpool a hard time.

Latest Liverpool news: Diaz disagreement sparks concern / Jones ready to agree new deal

Liverpool are reportedly at odds with Luis Diaz over the terms of a new contract for the winger, which could be alarming, with Paris Saint-Germain “emerging” as a possible suitor.

Diaz has a deal until 2027, but according to Colombian media Antenna2there were “disagreements” in negotiations over a new contract which I could see him looking away.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly set to open talks with midfielder Curtis Jones over a new and improved deal at Anfield, with Arne Slot reportedly seriously impressed by the 23-year-old’s form this season and by the boss of the Reds. see the player as a future captain of the club.

HEADLINES – Van Dijk’s importance to Liverpool in numbers