Virgil Van Dijk deal means TWO other stars set to stay

Liverpool were set to enter this summer with a monumental task on their hands, but Virgil Van Dijk's contract extension this week seems to have eased the tension a little bit.

The Dutchman followed Mohamed Salah in signing a new two-year deal to remain at the club instead of letting his deal to expire and moving elsewhere.

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A lot of work still needs to be done with the squad over the summer, but tying down two of the Red's all-time greats has certainly made a the recruitment team's task a little easier.

In terms of incoming transfers, the club's targets will now see a potential move as a better project as a result of the contract extensions. The prospect of playing with greats like Salah and Van Dijk is huge.

But the players that are already in Arne Slot's squad may be convinced to stay as well, which will help the club massively. Additions to the team can be made by choice rather than by necessity.

Liverpool can keep hold of two more stars

One player that might have been at risk of leaving is Joe Gomez.

The Englishman has been with the club for almost 10 years and he has served the team incredibly well. He gives everything for us on the pitch and he is not shy to playing out of position when required.

Gomez and Van Dijk have developed a great friendship over the years and the captain's new contract is something Gomez will be incredibly happy to hear about.

The pair work incredibly closely with each other in training and while some may have thought that Gomez's future at the club was at risk, he will almost certainly have been convinced to stay now.

Likewise, the same can be said for Ibrahima Konate, the long-term centre-back partner of Van Dijk.

Liverpool rely on the Frenchman all the time, and his statement performances have meant he is a player that the fans consider to be just as important as the captain.

Anfield Watch understands that Paris Saint Germain are pushing for Konate to move back to his home city and play for the French league-leaders next season. He is only contracted with Liverpool until 2027.

However, with Van Dijk committing his future to the Reds, it now seems likely that Konate will feel convinced that Liverpool should be his home for the next few years of his career.

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As such, while the new contract extensions this week might have brightened up the mood within the fanbase because the players in question were staying, others might now follow suit.

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