Liverpool are reported to have made a breakthrough in negotiations with Virgil van Dijk, who is set to sign a new deal to stay at Anfield alongside Mohamed Salah.
The Reds were beaten 3-2 by Fulham on Sunday, a game in which Van Dijk was unusually poor in defence while Salah was limited in attack.
Arne Slot has had to face the prospect of losing the duo for free in the summer upon the expiry of their contracts, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is seemingly close to joining Real Madrid.
However, The Athletic claim that Van Dijk is set to follow in Salah's footsteps and agree to a new two-year deal, keeping him at Anfield until June 2027.
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How important are Salah and Van Dijk?
Liverpool are currently first in the Premier League and are 11 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal after 31 games, but it is difficult to imagine the Merseysiders in their current position without Salah.
The Egyptian has scored 27 Premier League goals this term and provided a further 17 assists, and the winger needs to set up just four more goals to break Thierry Henry's assist record.
Not only does the 32-year-old lead the way in those categories amongst all players in the division, but he has also directly contributed to 44 of the Reds' 72 Premier League goals.
As for Van Dijk, the centre-back may be 33 years old, but he has helped guide Liverpool to 13 clean sheets in the League, the joint most in the top flight.
The Dutchman is still arguably the best centre-back in England despite his age, and there are few defenders as good as he is on the ball, as dominant in the air or as commanding in a high line.
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Can the duo lead Liverpool to the Premier League title next season?
Salah and Van Dijk have started all 31 of the clubs' Premier League games so far this campaign, and having played 2,790 and 2,747 minutes respectively in the top flight, they have featured more than any other player in the Liverpool squad.
The Egyptian has not scored or provided an assist for three consecutive matches, while Van Dijk has looked somewhat more vulnerable at the back, so perhaps the pair will need to be rotated more next season in order to preserve their freshness.
If Liverpool make the necessary reinforcements at the back and in the forward line, there is no reason to think that the duo cannot be at the heart of another title challenge.
Lewis Nolan
