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Arne Slot congratulates Virgil van Dijk after the Liverpool captain's late header sealed a dramatic win over West Ham United(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arne Slot has played down speculation that next week will bring confirmation of Virgil van Dijk's new contract - insisting the full focus is on Leicester City as Liverpool look to potentially become Premier League champions.

The Reds beat West Ham United 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday after Van Dijk nodded in a late winner after an own goal from Andy Robertson had cancelled out Luis Diaz's first-half effort.

Slot's men now need just six points to become champions but can win a 20th championship if they beat relegation-haunted Leicester City next Sunday at the King Power and Arsenal lose away at Ipswich Town earlier on in the afternoon.



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After Mohamed Salah's long-term Liverpool future was confirmed on Friday by public announcement of a two-year extension, Van Dijk is expected to follow on imminently, with the captain hinting that the news might come before the Leicester game.

READ MORE:What Virgil van Dijk did after Liverpool winner spoke volumes as new contract imminentREAD MORE:'I don't care' - Arne Slot makes Liverpool title admission and explains why his celebration changed

Slot, though, refused to be drawn, insisting his, Virgil van Dijk's and the whole club's focus is on securing another big victory in their efforts to lift a second title in five years.

"I think [Van Dijk] means let’s see what next week brings because we play Leicester City," Slot said.

That is what makes it so hard to win a game of football.

"So everyone can say we still have to win two, yeah, so we should be completely focused on that and if in the meantime a contract extension or whatever happens, but in the meantime my full focus on Leicester and Virgil’s as well.

"It's very important [to have players like Salah, Van Dijk and Alisson].

He didn’t feel well, that’s why he went in and couldn’t be in the team today."

Liverpool, meanwhile, have officially qualified for next season's Champions League, which, Slot confirmed, was the main priority when he was appointed as Jurgen Klopp's successor last summer.

Slot said: "I think [Champions League qualification] was the main aim of the club because two years ago, they experienced how much of an impact it is if you're not part of the Champions League.

"The main aim in what they told me is look at the players, give your opinion so we can go into this project in the second and third year but do qualify for the Champions League.

We all know that even the team that is in 16th has very good players but the top eight have incredible players.

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"It is getting more difficult to qualify for the Champions League.

if you'd have asked me this question as the beginning of the Champions League, I'd have said nice but yesterday I wasn't opening a bottle of wine because we qualified for the Champions.
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