Virgil van Dijk’s Future at Liverpool Sparks Speculation
After Liverpool’s victory over Brighton in October, Virgil van Dijk visited the boardroom at Anfield to catch up with former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen. Following the end of the 2024-25 season, Van Dijk invited Hansen to present him with the Premier League trophy, leading to a photo opportunity that quickly gained traction on social media.
As Van Dijk contemplates his future, he is likely to be remembered as one of Liverpool’s greatest centre-backs, akin to Hansen. The pivotal question now revolves around whether Van Dijk will conclude his career at Anfield, mirroring Hansen’s departure in 1991.
With his contract set to expire next summer, Van Dijk, now 35 years old, reassured reporters this week that he feels no urgency regarding his situation. This topic, however, is expected to remain a focal point of discussion until a resolution is reached. “Let’s see what the season brings. I’ve had an amazing time already so far. If that will be extended, that’s the case. If not, then I will go somewhere else,” he stated at Selhurst Park.
Two seasons ago, faced with a similar contract situation, Van Dijk calmly signed a two-year deal by April 2025. Based on his recent comments, there is an indication that he desires to stay with Liverpool, though both he and the club must make important decisions moving forward.
Liverpool keen to avoid Salah repeat
Despite a couple of minor errors, including one against Villarreal in the Champions League, Van Dijk has maintained his high standards this season. His partnership with new signing Jeremy Jacquet has flourished, and he has not missed a minute of Premier League play since the previous season started.
Although a “little niggle” has kept him from joining the Netherlands international squad recently, it does not raise any serious concerns. Van Dijk continues to exhibit leadership qualities, as demonstrated when he suggested that the squad should visit the museum at Anfield for a deeper understanding of the club’s history.
At a recent match against Crystal Palace, Van Dijk’s character shone through when he approached reporters, showing his willingness to engage with the media regardless of the game’s outcome. Though he may not be the standout force he was during Jurgen Klopp’s earlier years, he remains a top-tier defender, as evidenced by his impressive statistics.
This season, he averages 60.7 successful passes per game, wins possession 3.5 times each match, and makes 7.1 clearances, achieving a 75% success rate in duels and 79% in aerial duels. In contrast, during his first full season with Liverpool in 2019-20, Van Dijk achieved higher averages in several metrics, including a 72.4 successful passes per game.
Liverpool’s management is acutely aware of the situation that played out with Mohamed Salah last year. Following a stellar season in 2024-25, Salah’s performance levels dropped significantly in 2025-26, prompting the club to rethink its strategy. With younger centre-backs in the squad like Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, as well as Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye, losing Van Dijk could create a sizeable gap in experience and leadership.
In terms of his contract, Van Dijk’s salary allegedly remains around £400,000 per week, as he did not take a pay cut in 2025. Additionally, Liverpool faces decisions beyond Van Dijk, with Joe Gomez also out of contract this summer. The club has an option to sign Ronald Araujo from Barcelona at the end of the season, but Van Dijk’s departure would significantly impact their defensive lineup.
No resolution to contract talks expected soon
Pending fitness, Van Dijk is set to make his 390th appearance for Liverpool when the team squares off against Manchester United after the international break. His consistent performance suggests he could reach 400 appearances by year-end, joining a select group of just 28 players to achieve this milestone for Liverpool.
His scoring tally of 36 goals makes him the club’s highest-scoring defender. As for contract discussions, it appears both Van Dijk and Liverpool may opt to take their time, with mutual respect in their relationship indicating that negotiations could extend into 2027.
By January, Van Dijk can enter into pre-contract negotiations with overseas clubs, drawing attention from AC Milan and Juventus. Sources from Turkey suggest they may entice him to follow a similar path as Salah, but for now, it seems unlikely that Van Dijk will leave Liverpool this summer.
