Liverpool are trying to tie down Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to new contracts during the January transfer window and have confirmed their first deal of the month

Real Madrid have turned down the chance to sign Virgil van Dijk on a free transfer, with the defender now close to a new deal with Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk says he told referee Stuart Attwell he had made a ‘mistake’ not sending off Tottenham match-winner Lucas Bergvall before youngster’s late goal against Liverpool. Bergvall struck in the 86th minute to give Spurs the upper hand in north London ahead of the sides’ Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield next month.

Liverpool continue negotiations to keep Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, while the world's richest man, Elon Musk, is interested in buying the club

Virgil van Dijk is one of three Liverpool stars who are currently free to negotiate with foreign clubs over a free transfer.

It’s not just Liverpool fans who recognise that Virgil van Dijk is peerless when it comes to centre-backs in world football! In his seven years at Anfield, the Netherlands international has established himself as one of the leading exponents of his position on the planet,

Virgil van Dijk received a plea from a Tottenham Hotspur mascot just before they faced Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final in North London

Tottenham Hotspur battled Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal at home, but it was Spurs' mascots that stole the show.