Over the last few years, there has been a lot of talk about Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool. But perhaps not so much talk about Virgil van Dijk, even though the Liverpool captain is about to enter the last year of his contract as well.
Salah’s current deal at Liverpool expires in 2025. Like Salah, he is now getting nearer to his mid thirties and will be turning 33-years-old this summer. For a centre-back that isn’t necessarily a veteran age. However, it is an age where the hour glass turns and your career does ultimately begin to decline.
Fortunately, Van Dijk hasn’t shown any signs of that this season. If anything, the Liverpool captain is reaching new heights and still very much performing at his peak. His numbers are up there with the best defenders in Europe’s top five leagues.
But Liverpool will ask the question of just how long Van Dijk can continue to perform at this level. Particularly Michael Edwards, who will oversee FSG’s football operations starting in June. And who will now be in discussions with the club’s new sporting director Richard Hughes about just what to do with Van Dijk’s future.
What Michael Edwards will plan to do with Virgil van Dijk
Edwards has been known to be in favour FSG’s strategy not to award long-term contracts to Liverpool’s players above a certain age. FSG bucked their own trend when offering Mohamed Salah an extension two years ago.
Whether the same will happen with club captain Virgil van Dijk remains to be seen. The Dutchman clearly warrants it and, according to the latest reports, his future is on Edwards’ agenda.
According to talkSPORT, one of Edwards’ first major assignment will be to get Van Dijk to agree to a new deal. Hughes is also known to be an admirer of Van Dijk and was on his radar at Bournemouth while he was still playing for Celtic.
It’s clear both Edwards and Hughes appreciate Van Dijk’s talent. The question though remains whether the club can agree to a deal that favours both parties. Which would probably involve a short-term extension of two or maximum of three years, rather than anything long-term.