After spells at Groningen, Celtic and Southampton, Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool in the winter of 2018. He was immediately appointed as a defensive leader, and he masterfully turned his weaknesses into strengths as he led the final line.
His individual ability was also outstanding, outstripping the opposition attackers in every aspect – height, speed, technique and passing – and last season he overcame the effects of the injuries that had plagued him and returned to performing like he did in his prime, contributing significantly to Liverpool’s third-place finish in the Premier League.
He has one year remaining on his contract with Liverpool until June 2025. The Dutch national team lost to England at EURO 2024 and were eliminated from the semi-finals.
The 33-year-old centre-back has opened up about his departure, with his club in talks to extend his contract and his national team in the spotlight as to whether he will be aiming for the next World Cup.
“I haven’t the slightest idea right now. I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international player. Then we’ll go for it again, but first recover from this,”
“After a season like this, where all kinds of things have happened, it gets emotional at the end because you know it’s over,”
“Especially in the second half I had the feeling the outcome would fall our way. But (Ollie) Watkins was perhaps given a little too much space and he finished well,”
“It hurts a lot that we conceded this goal so late in the match and are now empty-handed. You put everything into it, everyone gives everything and if the goal comes like that in the last minute, that just sucks. Yes … sorry.”
Liverpool hope to remain at Anfield beyond 2025 and will offer the veteran defender a new contract. He will be 34 next year and the player is keen to see himself out.
On the other hand, he is also in the final stages of his career and the national team game can be a burden. Many players are focusing on their clubs, with some retiring from the national team around the age of 30.
At the moment, Van Dijk is shocked by the defeat at EURO 2024, but what decision will he make…?