Arne Slot feels Virgil van Dijk can play on for Liverpool beyond the end of his current contract.

Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool in 2018 from Southampton, signed new terms with the Reds last year.

The 34-year-old's contract runs until the end of next season.

And even though the Dutchman has not scaled his usual heights at some points this season, although he has won more aerial duels (119) than any other defender in the Premier League, Slot sees no reason why Van Dijk cannot stay at Liverpool beyond 2027.

"Everything that is done here is never in panic, it's always a long-term idea or something that has been thought about for a long time," Slot said of Van Dijk ahead of Liverpool's clash with Manchester City.

"Of course, we are aware of the fact that Virgil will not play for this club for 10 more years but he has a one-and-a-half-year contract left, so he will be with us for that period of time and maybe even longer if he keeps staying fit as he is now.

"As I've said before, what a compliment to him at his age to play every three days, not only for his club but also for his country.

"Hopefully, he can stay as fit as he is for multiple years, but this club, we are not stupid, we know somewhere in the upcoming years, there will be life without Virgil.

"I can say for every position that this club is not only thinking about short-term but mid-long term future in the decisions we make."

Liverpool have been left short defensively this season due to injuries, while they missed out on Marc Guehi last summer, with the England international subsequently joining Man City in January.

The Reds did, however, make a splash in the market on Monday, signing France youth international Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for a reported £60m (€69.5m).

Jacquet will join Liverpool ahead of next season.

"Very pleasing of course. He's a very big talent and maybe even more than talent, but we speak about talent because of his age," Slot said of the 20-year-old.

"We weren't the only one interested in him so it's a big compliment to the people working really hard to sign players.

"Such a big talent and another example of the model we're using at this club – young, very talented players sometimes at the start of their careers or sometimes already a little bit a few years into their career but always players that are young and can improve us in the short term but also definitely in the long term.

"We've signed a lot of them recently and like I've said many times in the mid-long term future of this club, and even the short term, is in a very good place."