Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. Pic: John Walton/Press Association.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. Pic: John Walton/Press Association.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is not in any “panic” about his contract and hinted he wants to stay beyond his current deal.
The two-year extension the centre-back signed last year runs out in the summer and, although the Dutchman will be 35 when next season begins, there is a strong argument for keeping him on.
It took until April for the details to be agreed on his last contract as the focus was on winning Liverpool’s 20th league title and it would not be a surprise for negotiations to go as deep again.
However, should there not be an offer forthcoming, Van Dijk said he would “go somewhere else”.
“I feel good, but it’s not about me at the moment. Let’s see,” the Netherlands captain told reporters.
“I’m not in any panic whatsoever. I want to keep playing and continue what I’m doing. 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.
“There’s nothing to report at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that there’s any stress or anything.”
Van Dijk will not feature in the Netherlands’ Nations League fixtures against Greece and Germany as he is not fully fit.
The defender has been carrying a knock since last month’s defeat to Manchester City, after which he complained of a minor issue with his calf, and will have one eye on the resumption of the Premier League when Manchester United are the visitors first game back.
“Mentally, I’m in a good place. Physically, I’ve been struggling with a little niggle the past couple of weeks, but I do everything in my power to be out there,” he added.
Van Dijk has played every second of Premier League action – barring 90 minutes in the penultimate game of the 2024-25 season – since September 2023 and will hope being able to rest and receive treatment over the next two weeks will ensure he is able to start when United visit on November 22.
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