Virgil van Dijk's future at Anfield has been discussed prior to Liverpool's mammoth clash against Manchester City
Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool contract ends next summer(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool have the chance to secure consecutive Premier League victories this weekend for the first time since December. The Reds claimed their opening league triumph of 2026 last Saturday with a commanding 4-1 victory over Newcastle United.
Back at Anfield on Sunday, Arne Slot's men face Manchester City in what could prove a pivotal encounter for their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League. Amidst an ongoing defensive injury crisis, Liverpool supporters received encouraging news on Thursday when Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez might feature in Sunday's showdown as he nears full fitness following a hip problem.
Liverpool are anticipated to field their first-choice centre-back partnership of Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk against City, with the Dutchman's long-term prospects at the club hinted at by his manager in the build-up to the fixture. We examine the key talking points surrounding the defending champions.
Van Dijk's future
It was halfway through last campaign when Van Dijk penned a two-year contract extension to stay at Anfield. With 16 months remaining on his current deal, the club recognise that a succession plan must eventually be finalised to prepare for the iconic defender's eventual exit.
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The club have undoubtedly prepared thoroughly so far, considering the acquisition of Giovanni Leoni last season and Jeremy Jacquet earlier this week. Liverpool also secured teenage defenders Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe during the winter window to strengthen their defensive options for the future.
Virgil van Dijk puts his hand on his head
Virgil van Dijk has 16 months left on his contract(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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However, Slot hinted in his pre-match press conference on Thursday that Van Dijk could well remain at Anfield beyond the expiry of his contract next summer. Discussing Liverpool's plans for the future, Slot said: "You are longer here than I am so if I tell you they do everything with a reason you are not surprised.
"We never panic, it's always long term and thought about for a long time and not by just one person." Dropping a four-word hint mid-sentence about Van Dijk potentially remaining at Anfield after his current contract runs out, Slot added: "We know Virgil won't play for 10 years but he has a year left, maybe longer at us, he stays fit and what a compliment that is to him he can play every 3 days.
"Hopefully he can stay fit for multiple years but this club is not stupid. We do know somewhere in the upcoming years there is life after Virgil but that is for every position. We don't think about short-term only, it is mid to long as well."
'Strange errors' criticism
The Reds skipper has unusually made several blunders this season, though only one of his mistakes has directly resulted in a goal in the Premier League, according to StatMuse. Nevertheless, it's arguably been a substandard season for Van Dijk, who has been criticised for Liverpool's underwhelming campaign by football legend Ruud Gullit.
The Dutchman, who claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1987, called on his fellow countryman to raise his game, acknowledging he has observed errors from the defender that he has never witnessed previously. "I have been critical of Virgil van Dijk several times, because he's the Liverpool captain," Gullit told Gambling Insider.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2024/06/01: Ruud Gullit seen during the UEFA Champions League final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium. Final score; Borussia Dortmund 0:2 Real Madrid. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Ruud Gullit has urged Van Dijk to improve (Image: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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"Put it this way, if there is an orchestra where the violinist is not performing well, I'm not going to scream at the violinist, I'm going to be pointing the finger at the director. He is in front of his performers and is responsible for when something goes wrong.
"I rate Van Dijk very highly, but he has made a lot of mistakes this season, with a lot of strange errors like the handball against PSV Eindhoven and the miskick at Bournemouth. These are things that I've never seen before from him. I really hope that Van Dijk sees and addresses these errors, knows that he has not been playing well, and can return to his best soon."