Virgil van Dijk‘s 2025/26 season has only just concluded after a whopping 6,141 minutes, emphasising Liverpool’s need to give him extra support in 2026/27.
Liverpool’s captain was one of only five outfielders to start all 38 Premier League games last season, and the only one to play every single minute of the campaign.
Across all competitions for his club, he was rested completely only twice and subbed off once – in only the League Cup or FA Cup.
At 34, soon-to-be 35, it is an impressive personal feat, but Liverpool must now give him the support he needs by further investing at centre-back.
Virgil van Dijk played the most minutes of his career so far
The Dutchman has been among the top-performing centre-backs in world football for more than eight years, but eventually time and playing load will catch up to him.
After his World Cup exploits, he finished his campaign with the most minutes he has played in a single season over his career, racking up 6,141 over 69 appearances for club and country.
That is an average of 89 minutes per game.
Having stayed injury-free, it is incredibly impressive and underscores how dedicated he is to keeping fit, but also how pivotal he remains to both Liverpool and the Netherlands.
Sadly, it is stamina that cannot go on forever.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Retirement from international football could now be considered with the next major tournament still two years away, when he will be turning 37.
It could help keep him fresh for domestic action, though Liverpool will be well aware he is now entering the final year of his contract.
At this stage, there has been little to suggest that his time at Anfield will be extended further, despite his title as captain and one of the first names on the teamsheet.
As he has readily repeated in interviews over the years, he is not a robot and is, in fact, a mere mortal like the rest of us, and it is for that reason that the club need to add another centre-back to their list of transfer needs this summer.
Liverpool need to sign another centre-back
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray Sk and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray Sk and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
When it comes to what Liverpool need in the market, the list feels extensive, and that’s because it is.
A winger, another forward, a central midfielder, and a right-back are among the glaring needs, and you can add centre-back to that list as well.
Jeremy Jacquet has been officially announced as a new Liverpool player after a £60 million deal was agreed in advance earlier this year, but he’s still only 20.
He is an incredibly exciting prospect that will have an influence, but tasking him and Giovanni Leoni, 19, who is coming off an ACL injury, with key roles is risky, to say the least.
3BA119J Jeremy JACQUET of Rennes during the French championship Ligue 1 football match between Stade Rennais and OGC Nice on 10 May 2025 at Roazhon Park in Rennes, France
3BA119J Jeremy JACQUET of Rennes during the French championship Ligue 1 football match between Stade Rennais and OGC Nice on 10 May 2025 at Roazhon Park in Rennes, France
Beyond the young pair, Liverpool only have Gomez and Van Dijk as senior options after talks with Ibrahima Konate collapsed and he left for Real Madrid.
In the Frenchman, Liverpool have lost a centre-back in his prime years and only weakened the support around Van Dijk, which is not a slight on Jacquet, Leoni and Gomez.
As it stands, Andoni Iraola will have to lean on Van Dijk considerably once again. That is what the No. 4 is here for, of course, but he needs further depth around him.
The risk of injury has significantly increased due to his age and the minutes he played across 2025/26, not to mention the new demands that Iraola’s system will ask of his defence.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's number four captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's number four captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Moreover, with Gomez’s track record, you run the risk of moving players out of position again, and he will also be considered as depth at full-back, which would leave Van Dijk and two young defenders.
Bournemouth‘s Marcos Senesi would have been a sensible option to pursue, especially after moving for Iraola, but Tottenham were quick to make him part of their impressive business so far.
In a nutshell, Liverpool need a reliable, prime-age centre-back who can hit the ground running with this season in mind, but also a fast-approaching future without Van Dijk.
Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, Palace’s Maxence Lacroix or even Tottenham‘s Micky van de Ven could be considered options.
It all depends on how deep Liverpool’s pockets are, but it is not a position that can be ignored.
Collage 3 diagonal (10)
Collage 3 diagonal (10)
Morocco Brazil WCup Soccer
Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi against Brazil during the World Cup Group C soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)