Arne Slot stated Liverpool’s solely focus is on securing the 2 wins wanted to safe the Premier League title, after Virgil van Dijk indicated his contract saga could possibly be resolved this week.
The Dutchman gave Liverpool a lucky victory towards West Ham with an 89th-minute header and celebrated by kissing the badge on his shirt in entrance of the Kop. The captain’s purpose means Liverpool require solely six factors from the remaining six video games to seal the championship.
Requested whether or not, like Mohamed Salah, he’s near signing a brand new two-year contract at Liverpool, Van Dijk replied: “I can inform you I’m very proud as we speak to captain my one centesimal recreation for Liverpool. And it was an emotional day, due to the Hillsborough anniversary.
“The primary focus was to get three factors, and get somewhat nearer to all of our goals. Everybody is aware of how a lot I really like this membership, and let’s see what subsequent week will seem like.”
Slot performed down speak on one other essential contract extension for Liverpool, nevertheless, and insisted the main focus is completely on the pitch.
The Liverpool head coach stated: “I believe he means let’s see what subsequent week brings once we play Leicester Metropolis as a result of that, at this second in time, is by far the most important factor this membership is .
“Two extra wins and the primary 32 video games have proven us how tough it’s – not just for us however for each workforce – to win a recreation of soccer. The competitors has by no means been as sturdy as it’s this season and that’s what makes it so arduous to win a recreation of soccer.
“We nonetheless should win two, so we must be fully centered on that. If within the meantime a contract extension occurs [then fine] however my full focus is on Leicester and I’m positive Virgil’s is as effectively.”
Slot admitted Van Dijk’s winner got here as “a giant aid”, with Liverpool indebted to Alisson for maintaining West Ham at bay till Andy Robertson’s late personal purpose. “After West Ham scored and the best way the second half went it felt to me that West Ham may rating once more,” the pinnacle coach stated. “However our followers and gamers thought in another way.”
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The West Ham supervisor, Graham Potter, claimed his workforce’s second‑half efficiency was one of the best of his brief tenure, however finally with out reward. “The efficiency was actually optimistic, most likely one of the best since we’ve been right here,” he stated.
“The steadiness between defence and assault was good towards one of the best workforce within the league. We confirmed resilience which hasn’t all the time been there and grew into the sport.”
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