Virgil van Dijk ‘not in any panic’ over Liverpool contract talks

Virgil van Dijk has said he is “not in any panic” over his future, with his Liverpool contract expiring in June and no decision yet made on an extension.

The centre-back joined Liverpool in 2018 and has captained the club since July 2023, following the departure of Jordan Henderson. Discussions are yet to begin on whether he will extend his stay at Anfield.

The Dutchman previously signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April 2025, with his contract initially due to expire that summer, so he has previous form for leaving it late before putting pen to paper. At the time the idea of leaving Liverpool did not appeal to him and overtures from other clubs went nowhere.

He told press after Liverpool’s most recent Premier League outing, a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace: “I want to keep playing and continue what I’m doing so let’s see what the season brings.

“I’ve had an amazing time already so far. If that will be extended, that’s the case. If not, then I will go somewhere else. There’s nothing to report at the moment but that doesn’t mean that there’s any stress or anything.

“I feel good but it’s not about me at the moment. I’m not in any panic whatsoever.”

Van Dijk has played every minute for Liverpool in the top flight so far this season but has pulled out of the Netherlands’ squad for the November Nations League game after dealing with a minor issue for the last few weeks.

He said: “Mentally I’m in a good place, physically I’ve been struggling with a little niggle the last couple of weeks but I do everything in my power to be out there.”

Last year the 35-year-old became the oldest outfield player to play every minute of a campaign in Premier League history, surpassing John Terry.

Liverpool are currently fourth in the top flight going into the international break and eighth in the Champions League group stage table.