After Liverpool’s victory over Brighton in October, Virgil van Dijk met Alan Hansen in the Anfield boardroom, a moment that sparked fresh speculation about the defender’s future at the club. Van Dijk’s contract expires next summer, and while the 35-year-old insists he is not in a hurry to decide, both he and Liverpool face an important decision as the 2026-27 season unfolds.
Van Dijk told reporters at Selhurst Park, "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." Two seasons ago, in a similar situation, Van Dijk remained calm before signing a two-year extension in April 2025. His recent comments suggest a preference to stay, but the final outcome remains uncertain.
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Liverpool’s sporting director Julian Ward has made Van Dijk’s future a priority. The club has seen the fallout from Mohamed Salah’s contract issues last year and will want to avoid similar upheaval. Salah’s performance dipped significantly in the 2025-26 season after contract negotiations stalled, a scenario the Liverpool hierarchy will be keen to prevent with their captain.
Despite being 35, Van Dijk continues to perform at a high level. His only major error this season came in a Champions League match against Villarreal. He has played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League games since the start of last season, partnering increasingly well with Jeremy Jacquet, the centre-back signed in the summer. Van Dijk’s experience remains a stabilising influence in a squad that has lost several senior figures in recent years.
Van Dijk has missed the recent international window with the Netherlands due to a "little niggle," the first absence since Euro 2020, but it is not considered serious. At club level, he has maintained impressive statistics: this season, per 90 minutes in the Premier League, he averages 60.7 successful passes, wins possession 3.5 times, and makes 7.1 clearances, with 75% success in duels and 79% in aerial duels. By comparison, in his first full Liverpool season (2019-20), he averaged 72.4 successful passes and won possession 5.1 times per game.
Van Dijk’s leadership remains evident off the pitch. After a recent match at Crystal Palace, he approached reporters proactively rather than waiting to be interviewed. He also encouraged Liverpool’s manager Andoni Iraola to take the squad through the club’s museum to deepen their understanding of Liverpool’s history.
Financial considerations will weigh heavily on the contract talks. Van Dijk did not take a pay cut in 2025 and reportedly earns around £400,000 a week. Joe Gomez, another senior defender, will also be out of contract this summer. Liverpool have options, including a potential permanent deal for Ronald Araujo from Barcelona and younger centre-backs like Giovanni Leoni, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, and Mor Talla Ndiaye, but losing Van Dijk would leave a significant gap in experience and leadership.
Van Dijk is set to make his 390th appearance for Liverpool in the Premier League clash with Manchester United after the international break and is likely to reach 400 appearances by the end of the year. He currently holds the club record for goals scored by a defender, with 36.
The contract situation is expected to be resolved gradually, with both parties likely to wait until 2027 to make a final decision. From January, Van Dijk will be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs. AC Milan and Juventus have reportedly shown interest, while sources in Turkey hope to attract him there, mirroring Mohamed Salah’s recent move. However, a summer departure would be unexpected given the current relationship between Van Dijk and Liverpool.
For now, Van Dijk remains a central figure in Liverpool’s defence and leadership group, with negotiations continuing quietly in the background as the season progresses.
According to BBC Sports.
