Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have both addressed their future at Liverpool this week, with the club legends both in the final months of their contracts, leaving huge decisions to make

Liverpool is once again faces more huge contract decisions over the coming months, with the prospect of two club legends leaving Anfield in the summer of 2027.

Both Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are in the final year of their deals, and with the end of 2026 approaching, it will soon be decision time on their futures.

The pair have both spoken out on the respective situations this week, with Alisson indicating he wants to sign a new deal, while Van Dijk is playing his cards closer to his chest. As things stand though, both will become the next legends to wave goodbye to Anfield, following on from Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson’s departures this year.

Alisson’s agent has confirmed that talks over a new contract are underway, although they are still at an early stage. But while the goalkeeper and Van Dijk are certified Liverpool legends, it’s far from an easy decision to make.

Aged 35 and 34, with Alisson the younger of the two, they are much closer to the end of their respective careers than the start, and Liverpool has already taken steps towards finding their long-term successors. In fact, they may already be at the club.

So what should the Reds do about Van Dijk and Alisson’s futures? Our Liverpool.com writers have had their say…

James Findlater - Keep both legends

One way or another, we're approaching the end of an era at Anfield. Van Dijk and Alisson, along with Joe Gomez, are the last remaining icons of those unforgettable years under Jurgen Klopp.

As a supporter, it feels very hard to let go of such an incredible time in the club's history, and what has been the greatest period over the past 30 or so years. We will have to at some point though - they can't keep playing forever.

Having said that, I would offer Van Dijk and Alisson new contracts. There have been more mistakes from them both this season, the latter in particular, but then we've also seen why they've built reputations as the best in their positions. Alisson's performance at Crystal Palace on Sunday was world class.

Considering how young the likes of Lucca Brughmans, Armin Pecsi, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are, I think it's worth keeping both legends for a little while longer, even if their roles begin to be reduced. You can't put a price on the experience they have, and what impact that could have on the next era at Anfield.

Tom Malley - Keep both

There is no doubting the world-class and importance of both Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, and for as long as they are continuing to perform at the top level, which they are, even if they aren't quite at the peak of their powers anymore, then why wouldn't you keep them on?

Goalkeepers, in particular, can continue doing a fine job between the sticks well into their late thirties, so keeping a 34-year-old Alisson will surely do no harm. Van Dijk, while slightly older at 35, has also shown he still has plenty left to offer.

However, I would say that planning for them to remain mainstays of the team beyond next year would be naive of Liverpool, especially if the Reds want to continue challenging for titles.

The likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Giovanni Leoni were initially brought in as long-term options at goalkeeper and center-back, but they need game time to improve. Keeping Alisson and Van Dijk around is wise, but there cannot be overreliance on them.

Jeremy Goldstein - Yes to both...but different lengths

Virgil van Dijk, 35, is Liverpool's top earner this campaign. He will have to be once again for the Reds to retain him. He is an athletic anonmaly: there are only a handful of 35+ centerbacks with at least 500 league minutes across Europe's top-five leagues in 2026.

The names don't wow: Leandro Cabrera at Espanyol, Christian Kabasele at Udinese, and Florian Lejeuene at Rayo Vallecano. Liverpool cannot bank on this historical outlier. One more year feels right.

Alisson, 34, has a little more company in his age bracket with David de Gea at Fioernetina, Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich, Lukas Hradecky at Monaco, Kevin Trapp at Paris FC, and Oliver Baumann at Hoffenheim.

With summer signing Lucca Brughmans, 18, at Genk and years away ( Mamardashvili is not Liverpool's long term answer), Alisson can get two years...or more.

Hannah Pinnock - Keeping both is a no brainer

It’s fair to say losing either player would require significant adjustment for Liverpool. While the day will eventually come when both need to be moved on, that time is not this summer. Not when it feels like Liverpool has no suitable replacements waiting in the wings.

The club would not just be replacing aging players. It would be replacing two of the greats in their respective positions in the Premier League era, and even in their 30s, they remain key starters every single week. Van Dijk, in particular, still plays almost every minute.

It’s also worth remembering Liverpool is in a period of transition, and much of Jurgen Klopp’s team, and even Arne Slot’s title-winning team, has gradually been phased out.

Last summer saw the exits of both Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, two hugely experienced and respected figures in the dressing room. Alisson and Van Dijk, as well as Joe Gomez, are among the few remaining from that era, and I think it’s fair to admit Liverpool is not quite ready to move on entirely.

If Giorgi Mamardashvili had proven he was ready to take the reins, there would likely be a stronger appetite to move on. Ultimately, he has not entirely convinced, while Jeremy Jacquet is still only 21 and needs time to prove he’s capable of leading the Liverpool defense.