Former England centre-back Joleon Lescott has tipped Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to finish his playing career at Anfield. The pundit, best known for his Premier League spells at Everton and Manchester City, has been impressed with the Reds star's leadership. With that in mind, he has tipped him to set up the next generation to take things forward.
Van Dijk's contract situation
Van Dijk was one of three Liverpool icons facing an uncertain future towards the end of the 2024/25 season and is the last one standing of the trio. Trent Alexander-Arnold left that summer while Mohamed Salah gave the Reds another year before moving to Trabzonspor in early August.
The skipper signed a new deal in April 2025 but that expires at the end of this season. Even so, Lescott thinks Van Dijk will stay put and tick past the decade mark as a Liverpool player.
Lescott's verdict on the captain
"I would anticipate him ending his career there or playing for another few years, he doesn't look like he's getting any weaker in any area," Lescott exclusively told the ECHO at TNT Sports' 'Levels' Trophy Cabinet pop-up in London. "It wasn't a great season for Liverpool on the whole but I still think those performances in there from Van Dijk showed his class."
"I think they'll probably do even more so to preserve him now. I'd be surprised if he's still playing every minute of every game, to kind of create longevity, because he's better in the building regardless if he's playing every week [and] he's important to their whole club."
Mentoring the next generation
Van Dijk took the armband at Anfield in the summer of 2023 after Jordan Henderson left for Al-Ettifaq. Alongside his wider leadership role, he has the task of helping bring through young centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni both on and off the pitch.
However, Liverpool have also added more leadership experience at the back this summer by signing Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona. The Uruguayan captained the Catalan club on multiple occasions last season and could join permanently next summer if the move is a success.
Lescott isn't underestimating the value of adding leaders to the group to ensure a smooth transition when Van Dijk does eventually decide to retire or depart. "I think that's key," he added.
"I think [Liverpool have] done that exceptionally well with Jordan Henderson, James Milner, they've created a kind of leadership group that have passed on their experiences and habits, which is equally important. I'm sure Van Dijk is working towards showing the younger generation how to conduct themselves as a Liverpool player and as a professional football player as well."
