If there’s one man you can’t seem to go five minutes without talking about in this industry, it’s Liverpool’s rock at the back, Virgil van Dijk. And as if things couldn’t get any better for fans, who watched their team claim their sixth Champions League title with a comprehensive win over Spurs on Saturday, they have most certainly have.

The world’s most expensive defender signed a five-and-a-half-year deal upon his mammoth £75million switch from Southampton in January 2018, and while there are a sizeable four years remaining on that contract, he is apparently already keen on cementing his commitment to the Reds (although some fans may feel slightly aggrieved that ESPN’s Shaka Hislop believes the Dutchman will be offered to Real Madrid by his agent to force a better deal).

According to ESPN, the 27-year-old announced his intention to the club well in advance of Liverpool’s 2-0 win in Madrid, which has surely got to be a good thing, as it suggests he both believes in the project and was willing to stay at the club without winning silverware – something Klopp had failed to do since joining in 2015.

Van Dijk is apparently already among the highest earners at Anfield and his value in the squad is reflected by the dressing room selecting him as the third captain behind Jordan Henderson and James Milner.

However, while we don’t believe this will happen at Liverpool, given the positive spirit Klopp has instilled, it may be worth considering the current state of Manchester United’s and the suspected dressing room backlash because of the astronomically high wages they have handed Alexis Sanchez, which has hampered new deals for outbound Ander Herrera and David De Gea.

Nevertheless, we can’t see anything other than a new Van Dijk deal being penned, and with the already crowned PFA Player of the Year tipped to be a firm contender for the Ballon d’Or by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, Liverpool fans have so many reasons to be excited for the future as they chase their first Premier League title in what would be 30 years.

Liverpool fans, what does Van Dijk’s evident love for the club mean to you? How far do you think he can take you? Let us know in the comments below…