Liverpool fans have become used to seeing big players run down their contracts at the club.

The Reds have lost plenty of key figures over recent seasons, with many of them leaving on free transfers.

One of the most notable was Gini Wijnaldum, who departed for PSG in 2021 after a trophy-laden five years with Liverpool.

Wijnaldum’s exit came after a will-he-won’t-he contract saga reminiscent of what’s going on at Anfield four years later.

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During his time Liverpool, one of Wijnaldum’s closest friends was countryman Virgil van Dijk.

And as Van Dijk goes through a similar situation regarding an expiring deal, the Liverpool captain has recalled what he took from watching Wijnaldum in 2021.

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It was probably around February/March time in 2021 when it became clear that Wijnaldum would not be staying at Liverpool.

Ultimately, the Dutchman’s career went downhill after he moved on and if he had the chance again it would be interesting to hear whether Gini would have signed what was on offer.

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With so little time left in the season, hope is diminishing that Van Dijk will sign a new deal as well.

And as the speculation over his future continues, the 33-year-old has given a new interview to Sky Sports.

“I’m quite calm about it,” Van Dijk tells Jamie Redknapp.

“It’s quite funny because I remember when Gini Wijnaldum, a good friend mine, was coming up to the final six months of his contract at the club, I said to him, I can’t believe how calm he was.”

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“But now being in the situation myself, listen, I’m in a very good place, physically, mentally.

And now my only focus is trying to be successful at Liverpool, that’s the main focus and be the best captain and player I can be for the club.

The skipper has arguably been Liverpool’s best player – and one of the best in the whole Premier League – this season.

But as the clock ticks down, Van Dijk is steadfastly refusing to be drawn into revealing how things will end up.

YearPlayer2020Adam Lallana2020Nathaniel Clyne2021Gini Wijnaldum2022Divock Origi2023Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain2023Naby Keita2023James Milner2023Roberto Firmino2024Joel Matip2024Thiago Alcantara2024AdrianNotable free transfer exits since 2020

“I can’t speak about personal conversations that have obviously been going on for a while,” he says.

“I’ve mentioned it before, I love the fans, I love the club, I’ve had such an amazing time already and let’s see what the future brings.