Liverpool will face some difficult questions about the future of Virgil van Dijk, with the club captain entering the final few months of his contract at Anfield
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool warms up before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC
Virgil van Dijk is facing an uncertain future at Liverpool beyond this season(Image: (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images))
We've been here before. Virgil van Dijk is in the final 12 months of his contract with Liverpool, and some serious questions will need to be asked about his future at Anfield.
Last time Van Dijk's future was up in the air, it ended with the Reds agreeing to a new two-year deal with the club captain, who is certainly in the twilight of his career, still showing enough quality, experience, and leadership to guide the team into a new era.
The same questions will need to be asked just over a year later, with the final few months of the defender's renewed deal leaving the hierarchy in a difficult position. It will raise some discussions over when the right time to let a player go, which was certainly mentioned after Mohamed Salah's last contract extension, which was mutually terminated after one year.
There may be some concerns about letting a figure like Van Dijk leave too early without a proper replacement plan. Equally, letting him stay and potentially struggle in an ever-increasingly tough Premier League may be to the side's detriment.
That said, a decision will need to be made sooner rather than later, so proper plans can be put in place. The reality of that is made clear by the transfer interest that seems to be circling the Netherlands international.
Real Madrid and Juventus have both been linked with a transfer, and it's an opportunity for the star that may be difficult to turn down if it arrives.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool applauds during the UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid
Virgil van Dijk is the current captain of Liverpool but is in the final year of his contract(Image: Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
That fork in the road could come sooner than many at Liverpool anticipate, because Van Dijk could agree a pre-contract as soon as January with a club from outside of England.
Another important consideration will be the player's demands. The 35-year-old could ask for relatively high wages for what may be one of his final contracts in his playing career, especially when the European giants that are queueing up could offer such a huge salary.
That all leaves returning sporting director Julian Ward in an awkward position. Does he stick or twist with the defender at a critical point in his career at Anfield?
There may be some reassurance in the fact that Jeremy Jacquet appears to be a fine addition to the team, having cemented himself as a silky centre-back option for the Reds, with plenty of room to grow further.
However, with Alisson also in the final year of his contract, there may be some concerns over the leadership options in what is an increasingly younger Liverpool squad.
It remains to be seen which decision the club's hierarchy will make, but the reality is starting to set in for Liverpool about what is coming up.