I honestly thought Liverpool would probably let Virgil van Dijk leave next summer.
At 35, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season, it seemed like the club might finally decide that the time had come to move on.
But Van Dijk is making that decision incredibly difficult.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are now open to offering their captain a new contract if he maintains his current level of performance.
And I have to say, I really like that.
Because if van Dijk keeps playing the way he has been playing for Andoni Iraola, why wouldn’t Liverpool at least consider it?
van Dijk doesn’t look like a 35-year-old defender
This is the part that matters.
Age is obviously important.
Liverpool can’t simply ignore the fact that van Dijk is 35 and will be 36 next season.
But football is ultimately about what a player can give you now.
And right now?
van Dijk is still one of Liverpool’s most important players.
Football Insider reports that he has played every minute of Liverpool’s first five Premier League matches this season, as well as the Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid. Iraola still considers him a crucial part of his plans.
That’s pretty difficult to argue with.
Liverpool’s defence has also become one of the biggest positives of Iraola’s early reign.
van Dijk has been at the centre of that.
He’s organising.
He’s leading.
He’s defending.
And he’s giving Jérémy Jacquet the perfect partner alongside him.
That last part shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Jacquet could actually make this decision easier
Liverpool spent £60m on Jacquet because they believe he can become an outstanding defender.
He’s now getting the opportunity to learn alongside one of the best centre-backs of his generation.
That is a fantastic situation for Liverpool.
van Dijk doesn’t need to play every single match for the next five years.
He could gradually become more of a managed senior figure while Jacquet, Ronald Araújo, Joe Gomez and eventually Giovanni Leoni take on more responsibility.
Suddenly, keeping van Dijk for another season or two doesn’t necessarily block the future.
It could actually help build it.
And that’s why I can understand Liverpool leaving the door open.
But Real Madrid are watching
There is another reason this story matters.
van Dijk’s contract situation means he could become a free agent next summer if Liverpool don’t offer him an extension.
And Football Insider reports that Real Madrid are interested in signing him.
The Spanish giants are said to hold van Dijk in extremely high regard and could explore a move if he becomes available for nothing.
I can understand why.
Imagine adding van Dijk’s experience to a Real Madrid squad.
He’s still a hugely respected defender.
He’s still their Liverpool captain.
And if he continues performing at this level, there will obviously be clubs interested.
Liverpool therefore have a decision to make.
Do they allow one of the greatest defenders in the club’s history to walk away for nothing?
Or do they offer him another contract?
I think Liverpool should wait
This is where I actually agree with the club’s approach.
I don’t think Liverpool need to make the decision right now.
Football Insider previously reported that Liverpool were planning to wait until later in the season before holding meaningful discussions over Van Dijk’s future, potentially following a similar approach to the one used when he signed his previous extension.
That makes sense.
Let the season develop.
See how van Dijk copes physically.
See how many games he can play.
See whether his performances remain at this level.
And then make the decision.
If he’s still looking like one of Liverpool’s best defenders in March or April, I don’t think supporters will be complaining if the club offers him another deal.
Because who replaces him?
That’s the other question.
It’s easy to say:
“He’s 35. Time to move on.”
But then what?
Liverpool would suddenly have to replace their captain, leader and best organiser.
Jacquet is still only 21.
Leoni is returning from a serious injury.
Araújo can play centre-back but is also extremely useful at right-back.
Gomez provides experience and versatility.
There is plenty of young talent in the squad.
But replacing Virgil van Dijk isn’t simply about finding another centre-back.
You’re replacing the personality.
The leadership.
The experience.
The ability to organise the entire defensive line.
And the knowledge of what it takes to win trophies with Liverpool.
That’s a lot to lose.
I’m not saying give him a five-year contract
Absolutely not.
This is where Liverpool have to be sensible.
van Dijk’s age means any new contract needs to make sense for the club.
But a short-term extension?
One year with the option of another?
Something along those lines?
I’d be very interested.
Especially if van Dijk continues performing at this level.
Liverpool have already shown with his previous contract that they were prepared to keep him beyond his original deal. He signed a two-year extension in April 2025, taking his commitment to the club into 2027.
And now we’re potentially heading towards another decision.
van Dijk is making Liverpool’s decision for them
This is the funny thing.
Liverpool might have gone into this season thinking they would eventually need to move on from van Dijk.
But the player himself is making that increasingly difficult.
He’s still playing.
He’s still leading.
He’s still starting.
And Liverpool’s defence is looking better.
So now the question isn’t simply:
“Is Van Dijk too old for another contract?”
It’s:
“Is Liverpool actually better off without him?”
And right now, I’m not convinced they are.
Maybe that changes over the next few months.
Maybe his performances drop.
Maybe injuries become a bigger problem.
Maybe Liverpool decide the time is right to move in a different direction.
But if van Dijk keeps producing what we’ve seen so far this season, I think Liverpool have to seriously consider keeping him.
Because letting your captain leave for nothing is one thing.
Letting him leave when he’s still performing at an extremely high level could be something Liverpool eventually regret.
The ball is probably in van Dijk’s court.
Keep playing like this and he might just give Liverpool a decision they don’t really want to make.
Because suddenly, letting Virgil van Dijk go doesn’t look quite as easy as it once did.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply