Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has confirmed he is in discussions with the club about extending his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the current season. The 33-year-old Dutch defender, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for £75 million, has been a key figure for the team throughout his tenure.
“Discussions are ongoing, we will see what happens in the future,” Van Dijk said after Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea. “My full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else. What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have started and we will see.”
Van Dijk has helped Liverpool secure multiple trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. His leadership has been crucial as Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, have climbed to the top of the Premier League this season, winning seven out of their first eight games.
Alongside Van Dijk, England international Trent Alexander-Arnold and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah are also nearing the end of their contracts next summer, though no updates have been provided regarding their situations.
Van Dijk’s defensive contributions have been significant this season, with Liverpool conceding just three goals in their first eight league games. He noted the team’s defensive improvements: “At the start of the season, we saw numbers about what happens if your opponent is in the final third, how many bodies do we have behind the ball and that has definitely changed. I wouldn’t say it’s [just] the last line and the goalkeepers making a difference, it’s the guys in front of us, it’s a team effort.”
Despite his uncertainty regarding the future, Van Dijk emphasized his current focus on the club’s performances: “When it’s time to make a decision, you guys [the media] will know it as well.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised Van Dijk’s influence, both on and off the pitch. “What you guys don’t see and what I do see is how important he also is on the training ground,” Slot said. “He’s always the one that’s most loud during the sessions, he always brings a lot of energy into our sessions and quality as well. He’s definitely our leader.”
As fans await updates on Van Dijk’s future, his ongoing role in Liverpool’s defensive success has been vital in their early season dominance.
