Summary

  1. Recap: Van Dijk signs new Liverpool contractpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 17 April

    Right, that's your lot!

    Thanks for joining us on this short but very sweet live page as we brought you the latest reaction to Virgil van Dijk signing a new two-year contract with Liverpool.

    The live page may have come to a close but feel free to stick around and recap all of the best bits.

    All they key points from Van Dijk's signing can be found below:

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Having watched all the great Premier League centre backs - from Adams and Stam to Terry and Ferdinand, Van Dijk is head and shoulders above the rest. A physical monster, quick, strong, great in the air, brilliant ball playing centre-half, composed, a leader, makes those around him better, timing, positioning, awareness, vision - he's got the lot. UEFA player of the year 2019. Best I've ever seen. Massive for Liverpool and the Premier League to get him re-signed.

    Anon

  3. 'Liverpool always conduct business the right way'published at 14:11 British Summer Time 17 April

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's what he brings to the whole team. He leads from the back, players look up to him for guidance and strength. He's great around the place, with young players, he demands in the right place.

    "I'm a Liverpool fan and was a little concerned the contracts hadn't been done, but Liverpool don't respond to things and put stuff in the press. Liverpool always conduct business in the right way."

    Virgil Van Dijk trainingImage source, Getty Images
  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:07 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Two of the Premier League's most consummate professionals are now committed to the club, and both still have a couple of seasons in their legs due to their dedication to their fitness, professional, and personal development. Now, the younger players can continue to learn from them and develop their own skills in readiness to stepping up, providing the club with continuity and a long-term plan ... makes sense to me.

    Andy, Anglesey

    To put into context how good VVD still is., Trent is not considered a right back. Robertsons had a poor season and Konate is hit and miss. He's carried Liverpools defence all season. One man show! If anyone deserves to lift the premier league trophy it's Virgil.

    Paul, Runcorn

    Virgil best by far. Others were very good but defended in a regular low or medium block defence. Virgil played in klopps high line, which every pundit including ferdinando etc said was crazy. If the others had to defend in a line that high they would have gotten a nose bleed.

    Dave, Cork

  5. When can Liverpool win the title?published at 14:03 British Summer Time 17 April

    Liverpool

    Barring a capitulation of the highest order, Liverpool will be Premier League champions soon. With six games to go, the Reds are 13 points clear.

    By my maths, Liverpool need a maximum of six points to clinch the title.

    So wins against Leicester and Tottenham would be enough to get the job done.

    However, if Arsenal lose against Ipswich (Sun, 14:00 BST) and Liverpool beat Leicester (Sun, 16:30 BST) then it will be all done and dusted.

    Liverpool celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  6. Postpublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 17 April

    Me *handshake emoji*Steffan

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:58 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Re: Ged @ 13:40 It's spelt YNWA

    Steffan

    lol you beat me to it yourselves

    Steffan

  8. Liverpool’s remaining Premier League fixturespublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 17 April

    Liverpool

    • Leicester (A), 20 April
    • Tottenham (H), 27 April
    • Chelsea (A), 4 May
    • Arsenal (H), 11 May
    • Brighton (A), 18 May
    • Crystal Palace (H), 25 May
  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Oh dear, Barry - Comparing Van Dijk to Razor Ruddock has got to be one of the worst takes I've ever seen! WOW

    Anon

    I suspect Barry from Bournemouth knows very little about football - one of the most ridiculous comments I have ever seen

    Ray, Middlesbrough

    Sour grapes from Barry! If you believed some people's opinion that Liverpool players are massively overrated then you'd have to put this season's PL win up as there as one of the greatest over performances by a team ever (bar Leicester)!!! Can't have it both ways, either this team is filled with winners or overachievers, either way Liverpool come out looking good.

    Liam

  10. Liverpool's season in all compspublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 17 April

    Liverpool

    Premier League: 1st (and 13 points clear) with six games to go

    Champions League: Beaten by Paris St. Germain on penalties in last16

    FA Cup: Beaten by Plymouth in fourth round

    Carabao Cup: Beaten by Newcastle in final

    Van Dijk challengedImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 13:42 British Summer Time 17 April

    It's YNWA actually, Ged.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Premier League player signs a contract. And...? YAWN.

    Ged, Swindon

  13. 'No doubt he still has two or three years at the top'published at 13:37 British Summer Time 17 April

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "The form, the way he performs, there's no doubt he still has two or three years at the top of the game.

    "The older you get you have to adapt, adapt your training routine and what you do off the pitch. But there's nothing to suggest that he shouldn't have this contract, he's been an outstanding performer and he'll continue to do that.

    "It's amazing news with Salah as well, brilliant news for the fans."

    Van Dijk celebratesImage source, Getty Images
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:33 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Another tick for Liverpool on the to-do list. Need to secure Konate (expiring next year), announce Trent leaving and get on with making the team even better for next season.

    James

    VVD is a great player, no doubt about that. But an all time great, I’m not so sure about that. Liverpool fans would know better than me, but I can think of others who were his equal if not better.

    Adam

  15. Trent returns to trainingpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 17 April

    Trent Alexander-ArnoldImage source, Getty Images

    Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to training yesterday before Liverpool's game against Leicester on Sunday.

    He has been absent since he sustained an ankle injury in Liverpool's Champions League last-16 defeat by Paris St-Germain in March.

    Reds boss Arne Slot previously said he expected Alexander-Arnold to be back before the end of the season, but did not put a specific timeframe on when he might be available.

    Alexander-Arnold's return from injury comes as uncertainty over his future at Anfield continues.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Great news that the man who's name will appear alongside Hansen in all time Liverpool teams for the next 50 years plus has extended his stay. Him and Salah staying is critical. Trent (not given up yet) would be a bonus and after last night, he might be reconsidering!

    Jay

    Glad VVD is staying as well as Mo. Resigned to Trent going. Replacing Virg and Trent would have been hard, only having to replace one of them is better.

    Anon

  17. Two down... one to go?published at 13:21 British Summer Time 17 April

    Liverpool

    So, captain Virgil van Dijk joins Mo Salah in penning a new deal at Liverpool.

    Both of their deals were due to expire this summer along with that of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    Salah signed new terms just under a week ago, now Van Dijk has committed to the club for the next two years but will Alexander-Arnold sign a new deal?

    In March BBC Sport reported that Real Madrid are in talks over finalising the signing of Liverpool Alexander-Arnold this summer.

  18. Postpublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 17 April

    Plenty of you getting in touch with regard to a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    So, what is next for the Liverpool right-back?

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:17 British Summer Time 17 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Thank you Skipper! Now come on Trent, why go to Madrid when you can have all this love and what might be a golden few years at Liverpool? (Special mention for the club media team - the announcements have been great)

    Anon

    Penny for Trent’s thoughts this morning.

    Adam

  20. Who is the greatest defender in Premier League history?published at 13:10 British Summer Time 17 April

    Premier League

    Virgil Van Dijk, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany all individually holding a trophyImage source, Getty Images

    We've got a lot of people texting in calling Van Dijk the 'greatest ever' Premier League defender. So, how do his stats compare to some of the other greats?

    Virgil Van Dijk Premier League stats

    • Matches: 295
    • Clean sheets: 115
    • Games won: 186
    • Average points won per game: 2.10
    • Titles: one (two if they win this season)

    John Terry Premier League stats

    • Matches: 492
    • Clean sheets: 214
    • Games won: 311
    • Average points won per game: 2.11
    • Titles: five

    Rio Ferdinand Premier League stats

    • Matches: 504
    • Clean sheets: 189
    • Games won: 291
    • Average points won per game: 1.95
    • Titles: six

    Vincent Kompany Premier League stats

    • Matches: 265
    • Clean sheets: 94
    • Games won: 167
    • Average points won per game: 2.08
    • Titles: four