Liverpool

Van Dijk blown away by Gomez deal

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Image for Van Dijk blown away by Gomez deal

Virgil van Dijk has expressed his delight that Joe Gomez has committed to a new contract by uploading a celebratory clip of the two in training.

The Merseyside giants announced today that the England international, 21, has signed a long-term extension, which BBC Sport report will run for six years until 2024.

Van Dijk responded on his personal Twitter account at lunchtime on Monday by showcasing a short video of him hugging and congratulating Gomez at Melwood alongside the message, “the moment I found out Gomez signed his new deal”.

OPINION

There isn’t a Liverpool fan out there who won’t love this clip of Van Dijk bear-hugging Gomez and then putting his arm around his junior colleague’s shoulder as they happily chat. The Holland international is the master and commander of the Liverpool defence following a series of superlative displays since his £70million January arrival, but Gomez was barely any less effective in the opening months of the season before succumbing to a leg fracture last week at Burnley that will sideline him for another five weeks. Clearly, there is a real bond between the two defenders that bodes so well for the coming years. Elite footballers don’t have to be best buddies, but it is vital they have one another’s backs, and have excellent on-pitch relationships that can ensure the team delivers the goods when it matters. Liverpool are fortunate to have four quality senior centre-backs, also including Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren, but the first choice pair is Van Dijk and Gomez.

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