Virgil van Dijk reveals two-year plan as he offers update amid Liverpool contract uncertainty | OneFootball

Dutch defender wants Anfield stay until 2026 World Cup

Virgil Van Dijk has revealed he wants to sign a new contract to stay at Liverpool for at least the next two years.

The Reds captain has now entered the final year of his current deal at Anfield and is free to speak to foreign clubs about his future as early as January.

Van Dijk attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League this summer, but has now confirmed he wants to stay at Liverpool until the 2026 World Cup.

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

“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.”

Virgil van Dijk is in the final year of his Liverpool contract

REUTERS

Van Dijk went on to admit he questioned his own performances at Euro 2024 in Germany, but having spoken with Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman is determend to keep playing a key role for his country.

“It was a very long and intense season last year, including the Euros,” Van Dijk added. “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.

“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.

“The moment I started talking to the national coach, I was already fine with it. It is quite normal that the national coach and the captain make an analysis about how the European Championship went.

“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.”