Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hinted that he could leave the club soon. “Which is consistent with rumours that have surfaced recently.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has given the biggest hint yet that he will leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season – and the Merseyside giants have already chosen his successor in central defence.
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Van Dijk joined Liverpool in a £75 million deal from Southampton in January 2018 and is now in his tenth season at the club. During that time, he has made 380 appearances and helped the Reds to eight major honours in what has proved to be one of the most successful periods in the club’s rich history.
“It’s been an incredible journey”
And while he is still performing at a high level at the age of 35, both the player and the club find themselves at an imminent crossroads – with the Dutchman’s contract expiring at the end of this season.
Currently their highest-paid player following Mohamed Salah’s exit in the summer, there is a feeling at Anfield that the time may be right to move on – and his departure could well coincide with the departure of his long-time accomplice, goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Van Dijk has also been linked with overseas transfers, with Galatasaray and AC Milan among those mentioned in recent weeks. It is clear that a big decision is on the horizon – one way or the other.
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But now, in an emotional interview with Sky Sports to be broadcast ahead of Sunday’s tempting clash with Manchester City, the player has hinted for the first time that the end could be near.
Asked if he was an emotional guy, Van Dijk told Sky Sports: “You’ll see it in the future. Before you know it, it’s gone!
“In the end, when I have to leave the club, it’s going to be a very emotional day. It’s been an incredible journey.”
“I want to leave a legacy,” Van Dijk says
Admitting that he is very proud of his role as captain, he added, “[This is a] shirt that so many millions around the world love to wear, and they support you through thick and thin.
“You have to understand what it means to show up every three or four days and give everything you have.
“But it’s a process; it’s something that’s exciting, and I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to do it.
“It’s just a matter of embracing it. It’s not always easy, but life isn’t always easy.”
Reflecting on the legacy he wants to leave behind and the values he imposes on his teammates, Van Dijk added: “The very least is hard work, never give up and be a good person.
“It’s not much, but it’s not always easy, because emotionally, everyone is different; you handle things differently.
“When you win, you lose, you don’t play; you play, you score, you make a mistake – it’s about how you handle certain things.
“Then you play every three or four days and you have to show up anyway, because when the first whistle goes to the final whistle, you have to give everything for that mark.
“And it’s a privilege; it’s such a good thing. Also, before you know it, it’s gone. So you just have to go for it.”
Liverpool’s successor already in place
While Liverpool are considering a potential deal to bring Jarell Quansah back to Anfield and already have an option to sign the defender from Bayer Leverkusen next summer, the belief at the club is that the Reds already have Van Dijk’s actual replacement in place.
And with summer signing Jérémy Jacquet for £60m, the Reds have found a player who already seems to have what it takes to be a long-term success at Anfield.
With returning Italian Giovanni Leoni also clearly seen as someone for the future, Liverpool management believe they already have the quality in place to ensure a smooth transition when the day comes for Van Dijk to leave the club.
In a statement last month, journalist Pete O’Rourke explained: “No decision has really been made about Virgil van Dijk’s long-term future.
“But look, Liverpool are planning for life without Van Dijk with the young signings they’ve made over the last couple of seasons.
“They have signed Jérémy Jacquet, who is now coming into the team; they also have Leoni, so they are trying to build for the future with players who can develop at Liverpool.
“As long as Van Dijk is still contributing, he’s such an important part of the team and he’s still the club captain as well, so I’m sure they’re not going to rush him.
“But there are plans for life without him on the team, and these young players have to take responsibility.”
One man Emile Heskey has revealed that he would like the Reds to sign is Marc Guehi – and in an exclusive interview, he urges the Reds to carry out a double attack on Man City for a couple worth £131m, in a move that Andoni Iraola would “love”.
Van Dijk recently made his place on our top 10 list of all-time Liverpool signings from the Premier League era.
