A Liverpool defender could be heading for the exit door at Anfield as club captain and colossus Virgil van Dijk has opened up on his future in football
Anfield is set to be a cauldron over the weekend. Liverpool welcome back Premier League football with a clash against Manchester City – who have been found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules.
However, for now, Andoni Iraola will watch his international stars filter back as they wrap up their commitments with their respective nations. The Spaniard has additional injury concerns to deal with as Alexander Isak has returned to Anfield carrying a thigh complaint.
Cody Gakpo also pulled out of the Netherlands squad after sustaining an ankle knock, with both players now back on Merseyside. Here, Daily Star Sport brings you the latest developments emerging from Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk speaks on his future
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Virgil van Dijk maintains he has no intention of easing up after claiming his 100th cap for the Netherlands on Sunday.
The Liverpool skipper received a special commemorative shirt and golden bowl from the Dutch FA prior to his team’s victory over Serbia to honour his milestone.
At 35, Van Dijk has entered the final 12 months of his Reds deal and has faced transfer rumours. Yet retirement remains far from the towering centre-back’s thoughts as he expressed gratitude to his supporters following his century of caps, reports the Mirror.
Van Dijk told NOS: “I am very grateful. To the group, the staff, the staff members with whom I have worked in the past. And in the end, I am most grateful for my family. They were there tonight too.
“A special evening and a great milestone. Definitely something I’m very proud of. For me, it doesn’t stop at 100. It’s something I never dared to dream, it felt way too far away to even think about when I was young. I got the most out of [my career].
“Unfortunately, I missed another year (due to his knee injury in 2020), otherwise I might have been able to come close to Wesley Sneijder (134 caps). But I am proud and happy.”
Liverpool ready to sell ‘nightmare’ defender
A Reds player who could be out the door sooner rather than later, with Spanish journalist Juan Jesus claiming Barcelona are circling for Jeremie Frimpong.
Writing on X, he said: “EXCLUSIVE: Barça isn’t just following Pedro Porro: Jeremie Frimpong is also on the shortlist to bolster the right-back position. Flick requested him in his first year alongside Olmo, and Deco isn’t losing sight of his situation.
“The player is going through a nightmare at Liverpool, unable to adapt to England. Plus, he doesn’t factor into Iraola’s plans, who relies much more on Ronald Araújo for that position.
“Frimpong is very open to signing with Barça. The Reds are opening the door to his exit for £35m.”