Van Dijk gives Liverpool HUGE new contract boost

Virgil van Dijk has offered Liverpool a timely boost by indicating that he wants to continue at Anfield for the next two years.

Van Dijk’s deal with the Reds is up next summer, along with those of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the Dutchman has committed himself to staying on Merseyside until the 2026 World Cup.

There had been serious fears that the 33-year-old former Celtic player would depart as a free agent, with Liverpool “expecting” both him and Salah to leave, but he has moved to quell those.

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In the process, he has also committed to playing for the Netherlands for that time, despite admitting that he had his doubts over his future following the Euro 2024 defeat to England.

“At both teams I am still Virgil van Dijk, the big leader! And I certainly want to remain that for the next two years,” he said.

“I am human, I have emotions too. You start thinking all kinds of things. Especially just after a game like the elimination by England in the very last minute.

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“I also understand that it came across unclear on how I stood in all this, because after the match I was so disappointed and full of emotion. It perhaps came across as if it had been my last international match. I did have doubts that night and I did hint at that.

“It’s very good that I went on holiday the next day, was able to spend time with my children, my family, which is the most important thing in my life. I was able to share it and then very quickly things calmed down.”

Worn down at Liverpool

Van Dijk admitted that he was fatigued by a long campaign, which proved Jurgen Klopp’s last at Liverpool.

“It was a very long and intense season last year, including the Euros. I focus on the team and the boys so much. I always try to talk and am constantly busy with everyone. I’ve had that responsibility for years. As captain, it’s the team first and then yourself,” he said.

“But it should not be at the expense of your own performance. In my opinion, I have always managed that very well. When I am in a bubble during the European Championship, I feel very responsible for all sorts of things. That can sometimes bring some difficult moments.

“Did that come at the expense of my game? I am someone who does not look for excuses easily and I am realistic.

“From a footballing point of view, it could have been better personally. I have come to that conclusion. Not that things went badly, not at all, but the expectations are very high and I wasn’t able to live up to that.

“But it is also about the confidence you get and you look at your own ability and ask whether you are still important enough. I am very much important, on and off the pitch. I don’t like to say that about myself, but I am. The responsibility at the club and at the national team is still super big.”