Danny Murphy has urged Arne Slot to convince one key Liverpool star to stay at the club when he arrives at Anfield.
It’s expected to be a busy summer at Liverpool as they prepare for the post-Jurgen Klopp era. Arne Slot looks set to replace the German boss after agreeing terms with the Reds last week.
The Feyenoord boss is expected to re-shape the Liverpool squad after his arrival and a new centre-back could be on the agenda.
But the Dutchman will also have to make some key decisions over players’ futures in Merseyside, with recent speculation linking Mohamed Salah with a move away from the club.
Yet, Danny Murphy believes there’s a player who is more important to keep hold of than Salah and that’s Virgil van Dijk.
Murphy urges Slot to keep Van Dijk
Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy reacted to Van Dijk’s recent comments on his future after the Dutchman insisted he’s ‘very happy’ at Liverpool.
“I wouldn’t say 100 per cent [that he’ll stay] because you never know in football but that’s as positive a statement I’ve heard from him so far,” the former Liverpool man said.
“I actually think he’s more important to keep than Salah. Ideally, you keep them both, of course. But I think he’s the one.
“Van Dijk makes players better around him. He’s got an unbelievable presence and he’s calm, he helps everyone around him. When he plays, they all play better. He is more important to keep, for me.
“That’s the first thing Slot needs to do when he comes in, he needs to try and reassure him and get him on board. Of course, they’re both Dutch so that helps.”
Van Dijk excited to link up with Slot
If Liverpool fans had any doubts about their skipper’s future, his recent comments will have put those to rest.
The 32-year-old claimed he will be a part of the ‘big transition’ following Klopp’s exit.
Recent reports have also claimed that Van Dijk is ‘excited’ by the prospect of linking up with incoming boss Slot.
Slot will certainly need to lean on the likes of Van Dijk as he bids to steady the ship following Klopp’s departure.
The Liverpool skipper also remains, in the opinion of plenty, the best centre-back in the Premier League and it would be a huge blow to lose him alongside Klopp. Fortunately for Slot and Liverpool, it appears that won’t be the case.
Following reports that Van Dijk was in talks over a ‘shocking’ move to Borussia Dortmund last week, Fabrizio Romano reassured Liverpool fans that no such discussions have taken place.