Virgil van Dijk urges Liverpool to keep Alisson amid Juventus interest
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged the club to keep Alisson Becker at Anfield next season, describing the Brazilian as the best goalkeeper in the world amid uncertainty over his future.
The Merseyside club recently triggered a one-year contract extension for the 33-year-old shot-stopper.
However, head coach Arne Slot refused to guarantee last week that the veteran will remain with the Premier League side beyond the current campaign.
Italian giants Juventus are reportedly monitoring the former Roma player’s situation ahead of the summer transfer window.
A potential Anfield departure
Liverpool already have a succession plan in place following the acquisition of highly-rated Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
This summer could represent the final opportunity for the club hierarchy to secure a significant transfer fee for their long-serving number one.
The Dutch centre-back has played alongside the South American since 2018 and warned that his departure would be severely felt.
“It would definitely be a big blow and a miss but I don’t think it’s a good idea to think ahead about what could or could not happen.”
Leadership on and off the pitch
The international star is currently sidelined with an injury but remains a crucial presence within the dressing room.
“He’s very important for me as one of the leaders in the team and I think he is very important on the pitch because I think he is one of the best – in my opinion the best – goalkeeper in the world.”
The defensive stalwart noted that his colleague is pushing hard to return to fitness for the final four matches of the domestic season.
“Would I love him to stay? Of course, there’s no doubt about that.”
Curtis Jones contract uncertainty
Alongside the goalkeeping dilemma, the Netherlands captain also expressed his desire for the club to retain academy graduate Curtis Jones.
The English midfielder was linked with a move to Inter Milan during the January window and is approaching the final year of his current deal.
Acknowledging his limited influence over boardroom decisions, the skipper stated he simply hopes his teammate’s future lies on Merseyside.
