Virgil van Dijk drops huge hint over Liverpool summer transfers and new contract

Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring

Virgil van Dijk has given the biggest indication yet that a new contract will be made official this week as the club captain revealed Liverpool are "planning to make it a big summer" in the upcoming transfer window.

The Reds skipper is on the cusp of signing a new two-year deal to follow on from confirmation of Mohamed Salah's on Friday,

Van Dijk provided the decisive contribution on Sunday as his late header was enough to ensure Arne Slot's Premier League leaders beat West Ham United 2-1

It means the Reds now need just six points from the final 18 on offer to secure a second title in five years

Slot's side could even be crowned champions on Sunday if they beat Leicester City and Arsenal lose at Ipswich Town.

Van Dijk hinted the club are gearing up for an important summer ahead of the new season, which he expects to be a part of with fresh terms now closer than ever.

Van Dijk:

"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 as a Liverpool-connected fan to do the right job. I think we 100% can improve.

“I think we shouldn't forget the quality that the Premier League possesses, especially this season in my opinion.”

"It's incredible how everyone can beat everyone. But if you take it all the way back to the [previous] summer, l didn't have a proper pre season. I think I came in on the Monday before we played Sevilla [in August].”

"I played 90 minutes straight away, then the following week it was Ipswich and then you're just back into it.

“You don't have time to work on what the manager really wants in terms of a training camp.

"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.

“There are still so many things to improve, but we shouldn't forget the quality that the Premier League possesses because we see it.

"Even if you look at other results today or over the last couple of weeks, Brentford yesterday, of course, got a draw at Arsenal.

“Chelsea versus Ipswich was a draw. Listen, it's just difficult and it showed.”

"We obviously lost against Fulham last week, so we can't forget that either. But I think a proper pre-season would definitely help the club in order to be even more consistent than we already have been."

Van Dijk, who had moments earlier been involved in a mix-up with Andy Robertson for West Ham's equaliser, kissed the badge in front of the Kop after his goal

Van Dijk added

"I think it's the whole combination,"

"I joined the club in 2018 for many reasons. Reasons like how much it means to all the Scousers, to all the fans around the whole world to be connected to Liverpool.

"Being successful with Liverpool; the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool, that is just part of me.

"That's why I'm always proud when I wear that shirt, go out there and try to be the best version of myself in terms of the football player that I am.

“We are two wins, six points away from glory. I know what it means to the club and I know what it will bring us if it happens.

"Most of the players don't [win a Premier League title] so when it happens, it will be beautiful but we still have a job to do.

“But going back to the fact that 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."