I’ll say it now: I believe Virgil van Dijk has at least another three years at the highest level.
People will point to his age and tell Liverpool they need to start planning for life without their captain. Of course they do. No player can go on forever, and Liverpool have to think about the future.
But there is a difference between planning for van Dijk’s eventual replacement and deciding that his time at the top is nearly over.
I’m certainly not ready to do the latter.
For me, van Dijk remains one of Liverpool’s most important players. He brings leadership, composure, experience and an authority that is incredibly difficult to replace.
And if Liverpool allow his contract to run down without finding an agreement, they could face a situation they really should be trying to avoid.
Losing their captain for nothing next summer.
Just look at what he is still capable of
I know van Dijk is no longer the player he was at his absolute peak. Nobody is suggesting otherwise.
But I still see a defender who can handle the demands of Premier League football and make the players around him better.
His positioning remains excellent. He reads danger early, organises the defensive line and knows when to step forward and when to hold his position.
Those qualities don’t disappear simply because a player reaches his mid-thirties.
In fact, experience can make them even more valuable.
And we’ve seen how important van Dijk has been while Liverpool’s defence has been adapting to Andoni Iraola’s methods. Having somebody who understands the demands of playing for Liverpool is a massive advantage.
You can buy pace. You can buy physical strength. You can recruit a talented young centre-back.
But you cannot simply buy van Dijk’s experience of leading Liverpool.
That is what makes him so valuable.
Semenyo’s pace tells you everything
One example that caught my attention was Antoine Semenyo’s incredible speed this season.
The Manchester City forward has been clocked at 35.74km/h, making him one of the fastest players in the Premier League so far. That top speed was recorded against Liverpool in City’s 3-0 victory at Anfield.
Now, I’m not going to pretend one statistic proves everything about a defender.
But it does highlight the sort of physical threat van Dijk still has to deal with.
Modern Premier League forwards are frighteningly quick. Give them space to run into and they can make even the best defenders look uncomfortable.
van Dijk’s job is to recognise the danger, position himself properly and make sure those forwards don’t get an easy route through.
And that is why I still have so much confidence in him.
He doesn’t have to win every race by simply trying to outrun an opponent. His reading of the game, strength and positioning are just as important.
Pace is one thing. Knowing how to defend against pace is another.
Van Dijk has spent years dealing with the Premier League’s best attackers. I don’t believe that experience suddenly stops being useful because he is 35.
Imagine the interest if Liverpool let him go for free
This is where Liverpool need to be careful.
van Dijk’s current contract is reported to expire in the summer of 2027. If he reaches that point without signing an extension, clubs across Europe could have the opportunity to pursue one of the most experienced defenders available without paying Liverpool a transfer fee.
And let’s be honest: there would be interest.
A centre-back with van Dijk’s experience, leadership and trophy-winning pedigree would attract attention, even at this stage of his career.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has also suggested that van Dijk could continue playing at a high level for another three years.
That doesn’t guarantee he will remain at his best for that long. Nobody can know that.
But it reinforces the point that van Dijk’s age shouldn’t automatically settle the argument.
Liverpool should be assessing what he is contributing now, how he is managing physically and whether his performances justify another deal.
For me, there is a strong case for keeping him.
Three years would show Liverpool still believe in him
I’d like Liverpool to offer van Dijk a new three-year contract.
That would take him into the summer of 2030, when he would be approaching 39. It would be a substantial commitment, and I wouldn’t expect the club to ignore the financial implications or the risk that his performances could decline.
But a contract doesn’t have to mean he plays every minute of every game.
Liverpool could manage his workload, rotate him when appropriate and gradually give younger defenders more responsibility alongside him.
That would allow the club to plan for the future without losing one of its most important leaders too early.
And if van Dijk continues performing at the level I believe he can, Liverpool would retain a defender who could make a real difference in the biggest matches.
It would also send a message to the dressing room that experience and sustained excellence still count for something at Anfield.
Liverpool need to plan ahead, not push him out
I understand the argument for succession planning.
Liverpool cannot depend on van Dijk forever, and the club must continue developing or recruiting centre-backs who can eventually take over.
But that process should happen alongside his continued involvement, not necessarily at his expense.
For me, the ideal situation is straightforward: Liverpool keep van Dijk, continue building the next generation of defenders and gradually reduce his workload as circumstances demand.
That is far better than reaching next summer and suddenly having to replace his quality, leadership and influence all at once.
You don’t replace a player like van Dijk with one signing.
You replace him over time.
And while he is still capable of contributing at the highest level, I believe Liverpool should be making the most of him.
Give the captain the contract he deserves
I know there will be supporters who think three years is too long. I understand that concern, particularly given Van Dijk’s age.
But I would rather Liverpool carefully negotiate an extension now than risk losing him for nothing and then discover just how difficult he is to replace.
He has given this club years of outstanding service, helped Liverpool win major trophies and carried the responsibility of being captain.
He deserves to have his future considered on the basis of what he can still offer, not simply the number on his birth certificate.
For me, Virgil van Dijk still has at least three years of top-level football in him.
Liverpool may need to manage him differently as time goes on, but that doesn’t mean they should be in a hurry to let him leave.
Give him a new three-year contract.
Build the next generation around him.
And make sure Liverpool don’t lose their captain without a fight.
vanDijk has earned that much — and I believe he still has plenty left to give.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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