In an interview ahead of his team’s match against Leicester, Dutch coach Arne Slot had high praise for Liverpool captain and fellow countryman Virgil van Dijk, calling the defender “one of the few leaders there are still in the world of football.”“He is one of the few leaders left in the game today, and beyond that, he’s shown once again this season how important he is on the pitch,” said Slot.Arne Slot on Virgil van Dijk’s contract:“It tells you that we want to keep our best players, the ones who have had great seasons for so many years. That we are able to keep them as free agents tells you the ambitions we have for the coming years. Virgil is so important to us,… pic.twitter.com/wFSSGtD3O6— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) April 18, 2025 Van Dijk, who joined the Reds from Southampton in January 2018 in what was then a world-record 75 million euros transfer fee for a defender, signed a new two-year contract extension last week. The deal will keep him at Anfield at least until 2027.The commanding centre-back will lead his team into the clash against Leicester, a game that could bring Liverpool even closer to clinching the Premier League title—what would be their second since the Dutchman’s arrival.🔴 MATCHDAY 🔴 We travel to Leicester in the Premier League… UP THE REDS! 👊 #WalkOn | #LEILIV pic.twitter.com/hb6ac3AIxI— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 20, 2025 Slot believes Van Dijk’s contract extension is a huge morale boost ahead of the important fixture at King Power Stadium.“Huge news for the club, for the fans, for our players and for our staff—we’re all so pleased. Everybody sees how good he is when he plays at the weekend, but we also know how important he is during the week, in training. He’s not just a leader because he’s big and tall—he’s smart, well-respected, and he brings great energy to every session.”PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 33SaturdayBrentford – Brighton 4-2 (1-1)/Mbuemo 9, 48, Wissa 58, Norgaard 90+5 – Welbeck 45+3, Mitoma 81/Crystal Palace – Bournemouth 0-0Everton – Man.City 0-2 (0-0)/O’Riley 85, Kovacic 90+3/West Ham – Southampton 1-1 (1-0)/Bowen 47 – Ugochukwu 90’+3/Aston Villa – Newcastle 4-1 (1-1)/Watkins 1, Maatsen 64, Burn (og) 73, Onana 75 – Schar 18/Sunday16:00: (2.95) Fulham (3.50) Chelsea (2.50)16:00: (7.25) Ipswich (4.40) Arsenal (1.45)16:00: (2.30) Man.Utd. (3.40) Wolverhampton (3.10)18:30: (12.0) Leicester (6.50) Liverpool (1.22)Monday22:00: (2.55) Tottenham (3.50) Nott.Forest (2.85)***odds are subject to change***
