Arne Slot Teases Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool Future Amid Defensive Concerns
Liverpool are gearing up for a pivotal Premier League encounter against Manchester City this weekend, with manager Arne Slot dropping a significant hint about the future of captain Virgil van Dijk. The Reds, who secured their first league win of 2026 with a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United last Saturday, aim to achieve back-to-back wins for the first time since December. This match holds immense importance for their Champions League aspirations, adding pressure to a squad grappling with defensive injuries.
Van Dijk's Contract Situation and Slot's Long-Term Vision
Virgil van Dijk, whose current contract expires at the end of the next season, signed a two-year extension midway through the previous campaign. With 16 months remaining on his deal, Liverpool have proactively bolstered their defensive ranks by signing players like Giovanni Leoni, Jeremy Jacquet, Mor Talla Ndiaye, and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. However, in his pre-match press conference, Slot suggested that Van Dijk might extend his stay at Anfield beyond the summer of 2027.
Slot elaborated on the club's strategic approach, stating: "We never panic, it's always long term and thought about for a long time and not by just one person. We know Virgil won't play for 10 years but he has a year left, maybe longer at us, he stays fit and what a compliment that is to him he can play every 3 days. Hopefully he can stay fit for multiple years but this club is not stupid. We do know somewhere in the upcoming years there is life after Virgil but that is for every position. We don't think about short-term only, it is mid to long as well."
Ruud Gullit's Scathing Critique of Van Dijk's Form
Despite Slot's optimistic outlook, Van Dijk has faced harsh criticism this season for a dip in performance. Football icon Ruud Gullit, the 1987 Ballon d'Or winner, has publicly slammed the Dutch defender, attributing Liverpool's disappointing campaign to his errors. Gullit highlighted uncharacteristic mistakes, such as a handball against PSV Eindhoven and a miskick at Bournemouth, which he claims he has never seen from Van Dijk before.
Gullit explained his perspective: "I have been critical of Virgil van Dijk several times, because he’s the Liverpool captain. Put it this way, if there is an orchestra where the violinist is not performing well, I’m not going to scream at the violinist, I’m going to be pointing the finger at the director. He is in front of his performers and is responsible for when something goes wrong. I rate Van Dijk very highly, but he has made a lot of mistakes this season, with a lot of strange errors like the handball against PSV Eindhoven and the miskick at Bournemouth. These are things that I’ve never seen before from him. I really hope that Van Dijk sees and addresses these errors, knows that he has not been playing well, and can return to his best soon."
According to StatMuse, only one of Van Dijk's errors has directly led to a Premier League goal this season, yet his overall form has been below par. This criticism comes at a critical juncture as Liverpool prepare to face Manchester City, with defensive solidity being paramount. Slot also provided a positive injury update, revealing that Joe Gomez could feature in Sunday's match as he recovers from a hip injury, offering some relief amid the defensive crisis.
The outcome of this weekend's clash could significantly impact Liverpool's season, with Van Dijk's performance under intense scrutiny. As the Reds navigate contract negotiations and on-field challenges, Slot's long-term planning and Gullit's blunt assessment highlight the complexities facing one of football's most storied clubs.
