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Liverpool captain says focus is first on remembering the victims of the Hillsborough disaster

Club captain: Virgil van Dijk is set to extend his time at Liverpool

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Virgil van Dijk fires tongue-in-cheek jibe at Mohamed Salah during Liverpool announcement	Virgil van Dijk namechecked Jurgen Klopp in contract announcement	Kevin De Bruyne send message to Virgil van Dijk after contract announcement

Matt Verri1 minute ago

Virgil van Dijk has hinted there will be an official announcement on his new Liverpool contract this week.

The club captain’s current deal expires at the end of the season but it is understood that a new two-year contract has been agreed.

Van Dijk follows Mohamed Salah in committing his future to Liverpool, after the club announced last week that the Egyptian had extended as well after a season of speculation.

Liverpool fans have been keen for Van Dijk’s new deal to be made official, but the centre-back spoke after his side’s win over West Ham on Sunday and said the focus would first be on the club marking the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster this week.

“I think first, all the focus should be going to the Hillsborough anniversary,” Van Dijk said.

The focus will still be on Leicester, but maybe there's some news.

I know … but I don't know.”

Liverpool travel to take on Leicester on Sunday in the Premier League, with it appearing increasingly likely that an announcement will come before then.

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The Reds are just six points away from securing the league title, and could do it against the Foxes if Arsenal lose to Ipswich earlier in the day.

Salah and Van Dijk gave a post-match interview after the win over West Ham and the Egyptian addressed both the extension of his contract and the imminent news of his captain doing likewise.

With Van Dijk laughing next to him, Salah added: "I'm just saying hopefully!
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