Liverpool allegedly intend to open discussions with Virgil van Dijk regarding a new contract.

The Netherlands international is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during October's Merseyside derby.

However, despite the uncertainty regarding his recovery at this stage, it appears that the Premier League champions are ready to show commitment to the centre-back.

Speaking to the Que Golazo podcast on CBS Sports, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that talks are due to be held with the relevant parties at the start of 2021.

Romano said: "Liverpool want in the new year to open new talks with the agent of Virgil van Dijk to extend his contract.

"They are so happy with the player, and Van Dijk is so happy with Liverpool, so immediately after his injury they were saying 'OK you are injured, but, you are our leader, so we also want you in the future'.

"At the moment he has two more seasons of his contract at Liverpool, but they're ready to extend for the next five years, so those talks are going to take place in the new year.

"Liverpool will go with Van Dijk in the future, they don't want to sell him. Jurgen Klopp is absolutely a big fan of Van Dijk."

The 29-year-old has made 130 appearances for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield in January 2018.