Footage shows Virgil van Dijk speaking with PSG chiefs after Liverpool’s Champions League exit – worrying Reds fans as defender heads into final three months of his deal
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was spotted deep in conversation with two PSG chiefs after the Reds were knocked out of the Champions League by the French outfit.
Van Dijk, 33, played the full 120 minutes of Tuesday night’s second leg clash, with Arne Slot’s side losing 1-0 on the night to ensure the last-16 tie ended 1-1 on aggregate and went to a penalty shootout.
However, Gianluigi Donnarumma saved penalties from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, while PSG scored all four of their spot kicks as Luis Enrique’s side progressed to the quarter-finals.
And, less than an hour after the game had finished, Van Dijk was spotted in conversation with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos in the Anfield tunnel.
It comes amid significant speculation over the Dutch defender’s future given Van Dijk is yet to sign an extension to his contract despite it being set to expire at the end of the season.
Van Dijk is one of three Liverpool stars whose future remains uncertain, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah also heading into the final few months of their deals.
Virgil van Dijk was seen in conversation with PSG chiefs Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Luis Campos after Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG on Tuesday evening
The encounter was filmed in the Anfield tunnel less than an hour after the full-time whistle
Al-Khelaifi and Campos are two major power brokers at PSG and across European football
The 33-year-old has remained tight-lipped on his future, although it has been widely reported that he is likely to stay at Anfield and sign a new contract.
There is no suggestion he has been linked to PSG, who have been touted with an interest in Salah in recent times, while Alexander-Arnold has admirers at Real Madrid.
However, this didn’t stop some Reds supporters worrying as one said: ‘Oh. That’s just beautiful, isn’t it,’ in relation to the video.
Another added: ‘Great thanks for this what a lovely thing to see.’
A further upset fan chimed in with: ‘Like the loss wasn’t bad enough.’
Meanwhile, the discussions in the Anfield tunnel, which appeared to be cordial, came less than a week after Van Dijk clashed with Campos at half-time of the first leg between the two teams.
Controversy had arisen when Ibrahima Konate escaped a red card following a clumsy challenge on Bradley Barcola in the first half, something that had left PSG incensed.
During the interval, Campos raged at the decision by the referee not to show Reds Konate a red card and, still incensed, he plead his case as the players returned to the dressing room.
The footage left some Reds fans worried as Van Dijk gets ever closer to the end of his contract
The encounter came less than a week after Van Dijk clashed with Campos over the failure to send Ibrahima Konate off in the first leg of the last-16 tie when he nudged over Bradley Barcola
However, Van Dijk appeared to take issue with the passionate appeal and hit back with a scathing jibe.
‘It’s not Ligue 1 here, bro,’ the Dutchman could be heard saying above the smattering of voices drawn to the commotion.
Elsewhere, speaking on Tuesday after Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League, Van Dijk tried to remain upbeat.
‘It was a very intense, great game of football,’ he said. ‘I think obviously it was a totally different Liverpool than what we showed in Paris, but unfortunately we are out on penalties and that’s the reality.
‘I think in the first half we created dangerous moments [as well as the second half] and obviously you know that they have the quality to create them as well. Eventually it comes down to penalties and unfortunately we lost.
‘It’s part of football. I said to the guys, “Obviously you can be disappointed because we are out of the competition but it’s chin up and get ready for the next challenge.” It’s a beautiful one on the weekend so we go again.’
