Virgil van Dijk says he will hold talks with Xavi about his international future, with the Liverpool center-back keen to remain involved with the Netherlands national team set-up
Virgil van Dijk in action for the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Virgil van Dijk in action for the Netherlands at the World Cup.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk says he will have a conversation with new Netherlands boss Xavi to see what his plans look like, with no decision made yet on his future in international football.
After the summer's World Cup and when Ronald Koeman departed, there was some talk that Van Dijk could retire from playing for his country. However, the Liverpool skipper has played down any claims that he might need to feature less as he gets older. It seems likely that Xavi would be keen to keep him around.
"It's a good question," Van Dijk told reporters when questioned on his Netherlands future ahead of the September international break. "I will have that meeting with the new manager first. Let's see.
"It's also a little bit down to that conversation. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, loved and important. I feel like I'm still very much valuable and important for the team.
"If the manager sees it that way then we're going to have another good two years. If not then we will see. I will have the meeting with him and then we'll go from there."
Some players feel that they need to give up international football to focus on their club game. Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand are two examples of center-backs who stepped back from playing for England when they got into their latter years, for instance, but Van Dijk is confident that he won't have to do the same.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James's Park in Newcastle
Virgil van Dijk is facing crunch talks over his place in the Netherlands team(Image: (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
"Some players do but not me," Van Dijk, who turned 35 last year and is inside the final year of his Liverpool contract, insisted.
"With anything you do, you want to feel respected, loved and appreciated for your work and the quality that you bring. Let's see if that's still the case and then we'll go from there."
Van Dijk was also asked about transfer interest in his Dutch teammate, Cody Gakpo, with Manchester City keen on the 27-year-old former PSV winger.
"What do you think? He's a quality player. I think we should keep quality players," Van Dijk replied when he was asked about the situation.
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"Let's see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he's a quality player but also because he's a friend of mine. He's very important for us."
Liverpool.com says: Van Dijk is clearly still at the top of the game, and he doesn't appear to be suffering from playing 90 minutes every week just yet.
Nevertheless, it would be beneficial for Liverpool if he was only playing club matches. He needs a rest at some point, and that coming during the international breaks would be best for the Reds.