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New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has been named the captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said Monday.
Judge will be making his WBC debut. He did not play in the WBC in 2023 when Team USA, also managed by DeRosa, lost to Japan in the title game. Angels star Mike Trout served as captain of that team.
"Just getting a chance to represent this country, what this country means to me," Judge told MLB Network. "Honestly, every game, during the national anthem [and] 'God Bless America,' getting a chance to sit out there, for me it's a time to reflect about all the brave men and women that have fought for this country and given me the opportunity to step on a baseball field and play a game that I love.
"Now, getting a chance to have 'USA' across my chest and represent all the great people in our country and represent what this country means, it's a great opportunity. I never had this opportunity before, even growing up as a kid, so I'm definitely looking forward to it."
Judge, who turns 33 on April 26, is the first player to be named to the team.
The reigning American League MVP -- his second -- is off to another hot start in 2025, hitting .357 with six home runs and 20 RBIs through his first 15 games. The six-time All-Star and three-time AL home run leader has 321 home runs and 736 RBIs with a career batting average of .289 since entering the majors in 2016.
ALL RISE.
Aaron Judge will play #ForGlory in the 2026 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/C4HM9foyjl
USA Baseball (@USABaseball) April 14, 2025
Former Yankees star Andy Pettitte will be serving as pitching coach on DeRosa 's staff.
The World Baseball Classic will run from March 5 to March 17, 2026. Games will take place in Houston, Miami, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the semifinals and championship game in Miami.
Team USA last won the World Baseball Classic in 2017.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
Can Swiatek emulate Alcaraz to start clay season? - your Second Serve briefing
Iga Swiatek is set for a mammoth few months.
The world number two is defending 4,195 points during the clay-court season after her astonishing 2024, which saw her win every tournament on the surface bar the Stuttgart Open. Even then, she reached the semi-finals.
Poland's Swiatek won both WTA 1,000 titles in Madrid and Italy, before picking up another 2,000 points from defending her French Open title.
Simply put, she's defending 54% of her 7,276 points over the next six weeks - and world number three Jessica Pegula, breathing down her neck, is defending none.
Clay is Swiatek's best surface, the slower conditions giving her more time on her pacey forehand, backed up by her superb movement around the court.
But it's been a tricky year for Swiatek. She lost in the Australian Open semi-finals from match point up, was stunned at the Miami Open by Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala and has cut a stressed, irritable figure on court.
Swiatek has also had to deal with an upsetting incident off the court, being verbally abused by an "aggressive and taunting fan" in Miami.
A return to her favoured clay might provide a reset for her - as Carlos Alcaraz has shown.
Like Swiatek, Alcaraz is the defending French Open champion. He too has had a mixed start to the year. He too had a surprise loss in Miami and, like Swiatek, has a tendency to be overly self-critical.
The new Monte Carlo champion did not have it all his own way on his run to the title. His quarter-final against Arthur Fils was a tricky, tight encounter, and the Spaniard was second-best in the early stages of the final against Lorenzo Musetti.
But Alcaraz found a way through and, ultimately, a way to win. That is something Swiatek can emulate this week in Stuttgart and beyond.
Northampton Saints have announced that Ella Bevan is to become the Premiership club's new chair of the board.
Bevan has been a director since 2012 and will replace John White, who is standing down at the end of the season.
Bevan's father Keith Barwell and brother Leon Barwell have also held the post in the past and her appointment means Saints will have a female chair and chief executive after Julia Chapman took on the latter role in November.
"Saints need to evolve as rugby evolves, and we need to make sure that we are key drivers and innovators in that process," Bevan told the club website, external.
"I've always felt that the club has led from the front on a lot of rugby initiatives, and we need to keep moving forward and finding new methods to progress, as without doing so, we'll get left behind."
She continued: "There are challenges ahead of us, but I've seen everything from Premiership and European Cup triumphs to relegations and promotions over the years of my involvement at Saints, and I am completely confident that our best days are still ahead of us."
Northampton reached the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup by beating Castres 51-16 on Saturday and next face a re-match of their 2024 last-four tie against Leinster.
The winners will meet Bordeaux or Toulouse in the final in Cardiff on 24 May.
Saints won their first Premiership title for a decade in 2024, but still reported a 1.7m loss and Bevan said work was ongoing to make sure their business model meets their needs.
"Our years and years of profitability came when the salary cap and central distributions were all pretty balanced, and we're in a situation now where that is not the case," she added.
"We've always tried to be as supportive to the coaches as possible to give them the resources that they need to succeed, as above all else we need to ensure we are competitive on and off the pitch.
"We will be pushing for a model where the club and the league as a whole can remain sustainable and competitive."
YORK HAVEN, Pa. Danny Dietrich made the overnight tow back to Pennsylvania from Missouris I-55 Raceway worthwhile Sunday evening at BAPS Motor Speedway.
Dietrich won the 4 Wheel Drive 410 sprint car feature at the three-eighths-mile oval for his third triumph of the season.
Dietrich started third and won the 30-lap event ahead of outside front row starter Jeff Halligan.
Brock Zearfoss raced from fifth to third, with Troy Wagaman Jr. and Freddie Rahmer completing the top five.
The finish:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 48-Danny Dietrich[3]; 2. 45-Jeff Halligan[2]; 3. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[5]; 4. 27-Troy Wagaman Jr[4]; 5. 51-Freddie Rahmer[8]; 6. 39M-Anthony Macri[7]; 7. 22-Doug Hammaker[1]; 8. 17-Dylan Norris[11]; 9. 5-Tyler Ross[14]; 10. 1A-Cale Thomas[16]; 11. 33-Gerard McIntyre Jr[15]; 12. 99M-Kyle Moody[10]; 13. 39-Derek Hauck[9]; 14. 5W-Lucas Wolfe[19]; 15. 41-Logan Rumsey[21]; 16. 5C-Brenham Crouch[22]; 17. 5K-Jake Karklin[24]; 18. 95-Kody Hartlaub[13]; 19. 11P-TJ Stutts[6]; 20. 38-Jordan Strickler[17]; 21. 75E-Kenny Edkin[18]; 22. 17K-Kyle Keen[23]; 23. 8D-Billy Dietrich[12]; 24. (DNS) 35-Austin Bishop
BRISTOL, Tenn. Joe Gibbs Racing did everything it could but win Sundays Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
JGR Toyota drivers Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe finished in the second through fourth positions, respectively.
Hamlin challenged race winner Kyle Larson during the late stages of the race, but came home second, ending his two-race winning streak in the NASCAR Cup Series.
You have to give that team (Larson, Hendrick Motorsports) their due just a dominant performance. It looked like a pretty flawless day for them. It looked pretty easy, Hamlin said. It was all I had to try to keep up there. Im glad we were able to give him a little bit of a run with our Progressive Toyota, but this weekend we are all thinking about Jon Edwards family, Al Pearce, Shige Hattori. Weve lost a lot of great people in our sport over the last week, so our thoughts are with them.
Wish we could have got one more spot, but I just wanted to keep him honest there at the end. That was all I was trying to do, but he was a little too much to handle.
Gibbs earned his first top-five finish of the season and his second consecutive top-10 finish.
It was a good day, Gibbs said. I was kind of managing the race and figuring out the way we needed to be. It was fun. I had a blast. Weve definitely made an improvement. Thank you to Monster Energy, SAIA and Toyota. It was fun.
Finally, Chase Briscoe, finished fourth in the No. 19 Toyota.
Yeah, I had been kind of catching him the last 30, 40 laps. I about got him in the end and then the 12 (Ryan Blaney) came out of nowhere I didnt even know there was anybody close to us, Briscoe said. It was fun. The JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) cars were really good today. I wish we could have got (Ty) Gibbs there at the end there, but all-in-all, great day for us, especially after last week.
Last weekend was probably our worst race of the year, so to be able to come back and have a good run like that in our Bass Pro Shops Toyota was good. Just need a little bit more still.
The fourth JGR driver, Christopher Bell, finished eighth.
Stanley Cup playoff watch: How the standings can shift with Monday's six games
For those who want to know the identities of the 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams, this was quite a productive weekend. As the games begin Monday, 14 of 16 clubs have punched their tickets, though a variety of seeds remain in contention.
With the end of the regular season approaching on Thursday, here's what's at stake in the six games taking place Monday:
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Columbus Blue Jackets' win on Sunday kept them in the playoff race for at least one more day; a win by the Canadiens in this one will clinch a berth (and eliminate the Blue Jackets). On the other side, the Blackhawks are locked in to the No. 2 spot in the draft lottery order.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings
7 p.m. (NHL Network)
The Stars can no longer catch the Jets or be caught by the Avalanche, so they will begin their first-round playoff series against the Avs at home. The Red Wings enter the evening 11th in the draft lottery order, tied in points with the Rangers, three points behind the Ducks (and the Penguins, but they have only one game left) and one point ahead of the Islanders.
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
As noted above, the Rangers are right in the mix for a top-10 draft pick, but they could finish as low in the order as 13th if they win out. On the other side, the Panthers cannot catch the Maple Leafs for first in the Atlantic Division, but they can potentially move ahead of the Lightning into second in the final week. They are four points ahead of the Senators, but hold a three-regulation win advantage with just two games left for both clubs, so Ottawa cannot catch them.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. (ESPN+)
These two teams enter the evening 14th and 3rd, respectively, in the draft lottery order. Nashville is locked in at No. 3, but the Hockey Club (with 87 points) can potentially move up a spot to No. 13 (currently the Blue Jackets, 85 points), or down to No. 15 (currently the Canucks, 88 points).
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m. (ESPN+, NHL Network)
Here's your No. 2 vs. No. 3 series in the Pacific Division, but it remains to be seen which team gets home-ice advantage. The Kings enter the evening in the second spot, with 101 points and 41 regulation wins (and a game in hand). The Oilers have 99 points and 35 RW, so this is essentially a must-win for them (and in regulation, too).
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks
10 p.m. (ESPN+)
In the nightcap, it's two lottery-bound teams, though at the two ends of the table. The Sharks have clinched the No. 1 spot in the lottery, while the Canucks are 15th heading into this matchup. The Canucks can potentially switch spots with the Hockey Club at No. 14, and could also flip with the Calgary Flames at No. 16.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Monday's games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Sunday's scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)
New York Islanders 1, New Jersey Devils 0
Boston Bruins 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Buffalo Sabres 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 1
Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Calgary Flames 5, San Jose Sharks 2
Colorado Avalanche 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
x - Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 106.6
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Florida Panthers
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 100.5
Next game: vs. NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Ottawa Senators
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 96.4
Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 94.4%
Tragic number: N/A
e - Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 78.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Boston Bruins
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Metro Division
z - Washington Capitals
Points: 109
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 111.7
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ MTL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - New Jersey Devils
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 91.2
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 5.6%
Tragic number: 2
e - New York Islanders
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - New York Rangers
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 83.0
Next game: @ FLA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 79.0
Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 77.9
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
p - Winnipeg Jets
Points: 114
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 1
Points pace: 115.4
Next game: vs. ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Dallas Stars
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 108.7
Next game: @ DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Colorado Avalanche
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 0
Points pace: 102
Next game: N/A
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Minnesota Wild
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 1
Points pace: 96.2
Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.3%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 1
Points pace: 95.2
Next game: vs. UTA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 90.6%
Tragic number: N/A
e - Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 89.2
Next game: @ NSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Nashville Predators
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 67.7
Next game: vs. UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 58.4
Next game: @ MTL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
y - Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 107
Regulation wins: 45
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 109.7
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Los Angeles Kings
Points: 101
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 104.8
Next game: @ EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Edmonton Oilers
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: vs. LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 94.3
Next game: s. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 11.1%
Tragic number: 3
e - Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 80.0
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 76.9
Next game: vs. LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 52.3
Next game: @ VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: A "p" means that the team has clinched the Presidents' Trophy as the top team in the regular season. A "z" means that the team has clinched the top record in the conference. A "y" means that the team has clinched the division title. An "x" means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. More details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
4. Boston Bruins
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
5. Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21
7. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
10. New York Rangers
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
11. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
12. New York Islanders
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
Keys to the NHL offseason: Free agency and draft plans for Rangers, Bruins, every other eliminated team
The 2024-25 NHL regular season will end Thursday, with exciting races for playoff seeding and the draft lottery order right until the final horn.
But not every team gets to participate in the postseason. This is the place where we look ahead to the offseason for all the teams eliminated from contention: Who will those teams try to add via free agency, trades and the draft? How much better will the team be in 2025-26?
Read on for a look at what went wrong for each eliminated team, along with a breakdown of the biggest keys this offseason and realistic expectations for next season. Note that more teams will be added to this story as they are eliminated.
Note: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metro teams were written by Kristen Shilton, and Ryan S. Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific teams. Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Projected cap space per PuckPedia. Dates listed with each team are when the entry was published. Teams are listed alphabetically by publication date.
Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers has insisted the Premier League side have "massive belief" they can upset Paris Saint-Germain and advance to the Champions League semifinals at Villa Park on Tuesday.
Villa took the lead in the quarterfinal first leg through Rogers but PSG hit back through Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes to win 3-1.
"There's massive belief in the dressing room," Rogers said. "I know most people wrote us off before this tie. But in the first leg, we gave a good account of ourselves.
"Of course, there are things that we needed to improve on but we know [PSG] now. There is a task on our hands.
"Under the lights at home in the quarterfinals of this competition, there's not many better places to be.
"If anyone is going to turn it around, it is going to be us. It's down to us and we are excited for that challenge.
"It's going to be difficult and I am not saying that we are going to do it, but we will definitely give it a shot and go out there to win."
Villa boss Unai Emery said his side must make home advantage count and draw energy from their supporters.
"PSG have a lot of experience playing in away matches. They are playing in France and Europe and we have experience as well," Emery stated.
"But we will be connecting with our supporters and transmitting the energy ... If we do, tactically and individually, good things on the field, the supporters are going to up our energy and help us a lot.
"They are going to transmit that energy always for our players."
Emery said Villa would stick to their gameplan, adding: "Our expectation is to get a good result of the second leg. Of course the fact that they won 3-1 is changing something. But a lot? No. Why? Because we have to win.
"We had to win with 2-1 and with 3-1 now. But now, we have to win with one more goal ... We played how we wanted to in Paris but the result obviously wasn't what we hoped for. If we are winning, we can be close.
"Our objective is to play with one strong plan in our tactical way tomorrow and try to be consistent and try to understand how the match is going in 90 minutes."
The Spaniard said striker Ollie Watkins, who has started one of Villa's last five matches due to a knee issue, was in fine form despite his lack of minutes, pointing to his goal off the bench in a 3-0 Premier League win at Southampton on Saturday.
"He showed us he is feeling fantastic. He is scoring goals. He played 30 minutes performing really well (against Southampton)," Emery added.
"This is the variety we have with our players. We have to try to use their quality to help the team -- be it 30 minutes, 10 minutes or five minutes. That is the mentality we need."
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hinted it will be a "big summer" for the club as they look to build on a hugely successful debut season under head coach Arne Slot.
Van Dijk scored a late winner for Liverpool against West Ham United on Sunday to move them 13 points clear of second-place Arsenal at the top of the table. Slot's side now require a maximum of six points from their final six games to guarantee the club's 20th league title, and Van Dijk is confident the Liverpool hierarchy are willing to dip into the transfer market to further bolster the squad this summer.
"I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years," he said after the game.
"Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer. I think they're planning to make it a big summer, so we all have to trust the board, as a Liverpool connected fan, to do the right job."
Van Dijk is set to be out of contract at the end of the season however sources have told ESPN he is expected to commit to a two-year extension at Anfield, after teammate Mohamed Salah penned a new deal until 2027 on Friday.
"Let's see how this week goes," Van Dijk said when asked for an update on his future. "I think first, all the focus should be going to the Hillsborough anniversary. I mentioned it already in interviews, I think that's the main thing and then we'll see. The focus will still be on Leicester [who Liverpool are playing next week], but maybe there's some news. I don't know. I know, but I don't know."
Reflecting on what Liverpool means to him, Van Dijk added: "I joined the club in 2017 for many reasons. Reasons like how much it means to all the Scousers, to all the fans around the whole world to be connected to Liverpool. Being successful with Liverpool; the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool that is just part of me.
"That's why I'm always proud when I wear that shirt, go out there and try to be the best version of myself in terms of the football player that I am. We are two wins, six points away from glory.
"I know what it means to the club and I know what it will bring us if it happens. Most of the players don't so when it happens, it will be beautiful but we still have a job to do."
Roy Keane accused Manchester United players of being "bluffers" after their latest harrowing Premier League defeat on Sunday, while fellow club legend Gary Neville admitted the club are in a "desperate situation."
United were thrashed 4-1 by Newcastle United on Sunday -- a 14th league defeat that leaves them 14th in the table -- and as well as pointing the finger at manager Ruben Amorim after the game, Keane took exception with Bruno Fernandes' post-match interview.
"We lack being more fearless, being more brave," club captain Fernandes told Sky Sports. "Today was not the case because we ended up conceding goals by trying to be brave.
"My teammates -- I only get frustrated with them because I know how good they can be. I know how tough it is to represent this club."
Keane, a former United captain himself who made 480 appearances for the club, said Fernandes was surrounded by "bluffers" as teammates.
"To be fair to Bruno Fernandes he fronts up, but to me it's just soundbites now," Keane, now a pundit on Sky, said.
"He was talking about his teammates and belief, but what about his right-back [Diogo] Dalot, who didn't put a leg out to tackle? I hope he is pulling him in the dressing room because he keeps talking about having belief in his teammates, but real good teammates put demands on each other.
"It must be tough playing in that midfield when the expectation is on him because that's unfair on him. But when he's doing his chats about supporters and this, to me it's just soundbites. There is no meaning to it. I'm not sure this United group are an honest group.
"The best players I played with put demands on me and wouldn't tolerate me cutting corners. That's what really good teammates do. These aren't teammates, they are bluffers."
United face a crucial quarterfinal second leg against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday, with Europe still offering Amorim's side a potential route into the Champions League next season.
But Neville, who spent his entire playing career at United, said the latest defeat was still "worrying."
"I don't think there's a lack of effort," Neville told NBC. "They're giving it their all. But they're so below the standard and quality you need at that football club all over the pitch.
"Other than Bruno [Fernandes] and Amad Diallo maybe, I can't think of any of them I would hang my hat on.
"It's a really desperate situation. The squad is so poor on quality. They have old players, they have young players who are nowhere near it, they have a group in the middle ... It's a worrying situation."
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