Van Dijk Expects “Big Summer” for Liverpool

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is anticipating a “big summer” for the Reds in the transfer market as the team edges closer to securing their 20th English league title.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory over West Ham, in which Van Dijk scored the winning goal, has left Liverpool 13 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with just six games to go.

Van Dijk’s own future at Anfield is also expected to be secured soon, with reports suggesting he’ll sign a two-year contract extension similar to Mohamed Salah’s new deal.

The Dutch captain believes Liverpool needs to strengthen its squad to maintain its title challenge.

“I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years,” Van Dijk said. “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 to do the right job.”

“I think we 100 percent can improve. I think we shouldn’t forget the quality that the Premier League possesses, especially this season. It’s incredible how everyone can beat everyone.”

Van Dijk also highlighted the importance of a proper pre-season, which will take place without major international competitions this year.

“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,” he said. “I think a proper pre-season would definitely help the club in order to be more consistent than we already have been.”

As captain, Van Dijk is set to become the only second Liverpool captain to lift the Premier League trophy if Liverpool secures the title.

“Being successful with Liverpool, the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool, that is just part of me,” he said. “I love the club, that’s pretty obvious. I think you can see that in the way I speak about the club, the way I work for the club in terms of what I do on the pitch on and off the pitch, and that will always be the same.”