Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on May 11, 2025(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk says Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool should not be compared to his or Mohamed Salah's contract extensions and admits the entire squad are devastated to lose their team-mate this summer.

Alexander-Arnold's public confirmation of his intentions to let his terms expire before moving at the end of June saw him roundly booed on his first appearance at Anfield since the news broke last Monday, with the vice captain singled out for vociferous jeering after his came on as a substitute in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

The hostile reception grew louder when the right-back got his first touches of the ball but Reds captain Van Dijk refused to condemn those who aired their frustrations and while the 33-year-old says everyone is entitled to their own opinion, he conceded the team are disappointed to lose Alexander-Arnold as a free agent.



READ MORE:'Sinister mafioso quality' - national media on 'unprecedented' Liverpool response for Trent Alexander-ArnoldREAD MORE:What Liverpool scoreboard showed at full-time offered perfect reminder after Trent Alexander-Arnold melodrama

And Van Dijk, who along with Salah, signed a two-year contract extension last month, says their respective situations should be likened to Alexander-Arnold's, who is now expected to join Real Madrid.

“Everyone has different opinions or different phases of their career so you can't compare our situation – me and Mo in this case – with Trent," Van Dijk said.

"I was very happy to eventually come to an agreement with the club.

"Obviously it's not really a Liverpool thing to go about it the way we did with me and Mo but, like I said when it was announced, I'm happy and proud to extend because for me there is no other place to be at this point.

Article continues below

"Everyone shares different opinions and he feels like he has done it all – and he did it – and he wants to try something different.

The decision is made.

"We are all gutted, players as well, as he is a fantastic player and made so many decisive moments over the years and has been a great player in the squad.

"When the final whistle is there we will miss him after that but we still have two more games, the trophy lift and a parade so there are plenty of moments we can share together and then we will see what happens.

"I think the manager said it right in the press conference that you can't decide how anyone feels about the decision he made for him and his family.

Featuring match reports, player spotlights, behind-the-scenes stories and iconic moments from a campaign to remember.

Celebrate Liverpool's Premier League title win with the perfect souvenir by ordering a copy online today, just click here!

A must-have 48-page keepsake for every Red.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

And you can also order a copy of Monday's Liverpool ECHO celebrating Liverpool's triumph direct to your home on our online store.

Liverpool ECHO front page.

April 28, 2025

Also available is the Liverpool FC CHAMP20NS: Premier League winners 24/25, with a double sided poster.

Pre-order here: https://reachsportshop.com/special_edition/liverpool-fc-champ20ns-premier-league-winners-24-25/

Liverpool FC CHAMP20NS magazine

"We as a team have to deal with that as well, by the way.

There were loads of other options but Liverpool is the place for me."

Van Dijk also doubled down on his belief that Liverpool are heading towards "a big summer" in the transfer market as the new Premier League champions head into an intriguing period of player trading from next month.

“I think it has to be a big summer and I trust the club and the people who make the decisions to do the right thing," Van Dijk said.
For more news relating to Spurs, visit our sister site Spurs Latest Live.