Virgil van Dijk has signed a two-year contract extension to stay at Liverpool until 2027 in a major boost to the club’s fortunes.
The Dutch centre-back joins Mohamed Salah, who penned a new deal last week, after concerns the club would lose both.
The 33-year-old is believed to remain the best-paid defender in European football, earning close to £400,000 per week.
The show goes on. pic.twitter.com/kpuiXOt7GZ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 17, 2025
But Trent Alexander-Arnold is still set to leave the club this summer when his contract expires after long-term interest from Real Madrid.
Since joining Liverpool in 2018, Van Dijk has played 314 competitive matches, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and the 2018-19 Champions League.
Van Dijk has played every minute of this season’s Premier League, which Liverpool are set to win in the coming weeks.
With a rebuild of the squad incoming under Arne Slot this summer after a successful first season, Liverpool will consider Salah and Van Dijk cornerstones of their redevelopment.
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In a statement, the Liverpool captain said: “I’m very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions obviously that go through my head right now speaking about it.
“It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy.
“It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.
“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.”
Van Dijk secures Liverpool foundations for rebuild
It’s no secret Liverpool are in transition, enjoying the last remnants of stability from the Jurgen Klopp era almost a year after his departure.
But starting again does not necessarily mean starting afresh. Too much change is destabilising – you only have to look to Chelsea to witness the dangers of stripping a club’s foundations.
And so with Alexander-Arnold already having one and a half Adidas Predators out of Anfield, keeping Salah and Van Dijk was vital. The trust both the fans and other players have in them will be invaluable as they navigate a rebuild in Slot’s image.
Virgil van Dijk statistics
Liverpool, Premier League 2024-25, per 90
- Passes completed: 77.9 (5th)
- Passes forward: 2.74 (10th)
- Aerial duels won: 3.07 (3rd)
- Touches: 89.37 (1st)
- Interceptions: 1.6 (12th)
Van Dijk remains the Premier League’s best centre-back well into his 30s, even if a couple of recent errors raised eyebrows. That he has taken more touches (2,860) and passes (2,493) than any other top-flight player exemplifies his continued foundational role in this side.
Liverpool need sign at least one new centre-back, left-back and right-back, and they can do so secure in the knowledge they are building around Alisson and Van Dijk. There are no better teachers or support systems to hold young players to exceptional standard and aid their development.
There will be some who claim Van Dijk is overpaid, with around £40m coming in over the next two years. Yet as he has been for seven years now, there’s a fair argument he remains priceless.
Don’t be surprised to see him justify that outlay and more in the coming years. A further extension beyond this is feasible given Thiago Silva was still playing for Chelsea at 39, and given Van Dijk’s commitment to effective recovery and protecting his body. We could only be halfway through the Van Dijk era at Anfield.
