Virgil van Dijk says he won’t retire at the end of the season, even if he is not offered a new contract by Liverpool.
The 35-year-old’s current deal at Anfield expires in June 2027 and talks are expected to start in the coming weeks over a renewal.
Van Dijk has played every minute for the Reds this season and has shown little sign of regression despite his age, forming a strong central defensive pairing with new signing Jeremy Jacquet.
And the Netherlands international is eager to continue playing whatever happens at Liverpool.
Speaking after the win at Crystal Palace on Sunday, he said: “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.”
Liverpool defender Van Dijk struggling with a ‘little niggle’
Van Dijk has been forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad for the games with Greece and Germany due to injury but he was quick to stress it was nothing serious.
He added: “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.”
It would be a surprise if Liverpool opted against giving Van Dijk at least one more year, especially as the club are short in defence following Ibrahima Konate’s move to Real Madrid.
Jacquet is thriving but Joe Gomez’s fitness continues to be a concern, and his contract is also up next summer, while Giovanni Leoni is sidelined after tearing his ACL.
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