Van Dijk Ready to Continue 3 or 4 More Years at Liverpool
At 33 years old, the Dutch defender believes he can remain at the highest level for a few more years, and, if possible, at Liverpool.
The future of Virgil van Dijk remains uncertain, not because he is not playing or is injured, but because his contract with Liverpool expires next June 30, and negotiations with the English club are still ongoing.
An indispensable part of the central defense for the Premier League leaders, the Dutch international hopes to reach an agreement with the club's management to continue his journey that began in 2017, as despite his 33 years, he feels he still has much to give. "For me, I can still play three or four more years at the highest level. We’ll see what the future holds," he assured in an interview with Amazon Prime during Boxing Day, which smiled upon the Merseyside club, winners of Leicester (3-1).
Impressed with Slot
Although he is still unsure where he will play next season and beyond, Virgil van Dijk is enjoying the current one, which he appreciates under the guidance of Arne Slot. In fact, since the arrival of the Dutchman, the Reds have shown impressive sports performance, losing only once in 26 matches across all competitions.
These results have impressed Virgil van Dijk, who praises the adaptability of his compatriot. "I think the step from Eredivisie, with all due respect, to the Premier League is a big leap for a player, but for a manager, it's the same thing. He’s done an excellent job so far and, in my opinion, inherited a very good team, not only in terms of football players but also as human beings—guys who will go to war for each other. I think he’s done very well so far," says the Dutch international.
While he appreciates how Arne Slot has managed his arrival at the helm of such an important team, what he values most is his high standards. "He makes sure we keep working, that we don't get complacent, that we focus on what’s ahead, and that we continue improving. We see the patterns we try to implement, and we see that we can change them during the match or at halftime, which is obviously a great credit to him," the defender highlights.
With concerns about a chaotic succession after Jürgen Klopp dismissed, everything seems to be falling into place for Virgil van Dijk to project his future at Liverpool. "I love this club, the club loves me. I love the fans, the fans love me, and that’s a solid foundation to build success," he confessed to Amazon Prime. A beautiful statement that just needs to be formalized on paper. Meanwhile, if his future is still uncertain, like that of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Reds defender is focused on the present. A present that will take him to the pitch on Sunday in West Ham for his last match of 2024.
