Van Dijk Insists Salah Must Stay at Liverpool as Kerkez Earns Praise for Brighton Display

Virgil van Dijk has left no doubt about his feelings regarding Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool, making clear he wants the Egyptian to stay put despite the uncertainty hanging over his contract situation.

Salah was among the standout performers in Liverpool's FA Cup victory over Brighton, laying on an assist for Dominik Szoboszlai before stepping up to score from the penalty spot and seal the club's progression in the competition. With just twelve months remaining on his current agreement, the forward continues to attract interest from Saudi Arabia ahead of the summer transfer window.

When pressed on Salah's significance to the cause, Van Dijk left little to interpretation. "Mo is still so important for us," the Liverpool skipper explained. "Last week he had an assist again and broke another record and he is still the leader and important for me personally, as a captain, to have around and to have him on the pitch and his presence benefits the team."

The Dutchman went on to defend his teammate against mounting criticism regarding his goal tally this season. "He always gives the team more than goals. There's obviously a lot of focus on his goals at the moment and that's also part of his life because he puts the standards so extremely high, so when he doesn't score as much he gets criticised," Van Dijk noted. "He has to stay calm and try to be important with everything he still can do and there is so much still. He is important for us on and off the pitch."

Regarding the contractual stalemate, Van Dijk acknowledged the reality of the situation whilst reaffirming his personal stance. "The situation is what it is. The full focus is on trying to make this season a success first and we will see how then the season ends and then you never know what happens," he said. "I always want Mo to stay because I'm a good friend of him and we've been through the highs and not-so-highs – I don't want to call them lows – together for so many years. The same as me he's got one more year, so we will see."

Kerkez Making Strides

Van Dijk also took the opportunity to discuss Milos Kerkez's development following the left-back's man-of-the-match showing against Brighton. The summer signing, who arrived for £40million as the long-term replacement for Andy Robertson, has endured a mixed beginning to his Anfield career, with Van Dijk frequently spotted offering guidance during matches.

"I think it is pretty clear you definitely see an improvement," the centre-back observed. "He is still so young and is getting used to being a Liverpool player, it is a lot more than kick a ball on the pitch. Especially when the team has been inconsistent, it's not easy to play your best games."

Van Dijk highlighted the collective effort in supporting Kerkez's progression. "But with the help of Robbo and the rest of the team and his own development I think he is making big progress. What I see is there is a lot to come for him to learn and improve but that's a good thing. He just has to keep going."

The captain pointed to the positive attributes the young full-back possesses. "He has a lot of energy. He is young (laughs). When we were young we always full of energy. He is eager to learn."

When the topic of Kerkez's substantial price tag arose, Van Dijk drew a parallel to his own arrival at the club. "The price tag you can't do anything about. When I joined the club it was also like that. £75million was a lot of money, but what can I do about it?"

Addressing the frequent on-pitch conversations between the pair, Van Dijk emphasised the tactical necessity of their communication. "Of course I had chats because on the pitch we need each other, whether it is positioning or even today he presses as a full-back and I have to cover," he explained. "It's a collaboration that you obviously have to understand each other and me and Robbo had that for so many years and you still see that in our game. That is something that has to develop over games."

He concluded by underlining the constant dialogue happening across the squad. "Conversations are happening 100% behind the scenes and in games, like with the rest of the team, to try to be the best team and players on the pitch."