Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool future is a major talking point currently, and now a massive claim has emerged regarding the Dutchman’s stance on his situation.

The Reds captain has been an iconic figure since arriving from Southampton in January 2018, becoming arguably one of the 10 greatest players in the club’s history.

Van Dijk is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of this season, however, and it remains to be seen what will happen over his future, even though Graeme Souness has backed him to stay on, saying:

“I think [Ibrahima] Konate was a difficult player to be playing with. I see there’s still life left in Virgil. I’ll be giving him another year anyway with an option to take a second year because he’s a Rolls-Royce of a player. And if anything, he’s got better the longer he’s been at Liverpool. He’s a Rolls-Royce. He’s always been a Rolls-Royce. But as you get older, your brain should be kicking in and even seeing things earlier.”

Now, a respected source on X has said the following, in a potential big boost for Liverpool: “Virgil van Dijk wants to stay at Liverpool. The ball is in LFC’s court. The message above came to us this morning.”

Liverpool HAVE to hand Virgil van Dijk a new deal

Allowing Van Dijk to leave on a free transfer next summer would be a huge error by Liverpool, especially as the above report claims that he is happy to extend his stay at Anfield, rather than enjoy a new challenge.

The 35-year-old may have been well below his best in Tuesday’s 4-3 win at home to Villarreal, but he has otherwise been at his imperious best this season, and has years left in him still, with Andoni Iraola saying:

“For every centre-back to play next to Van Dijk, it’s a masterclass. First two games, he [Jacquet] couldn’t finish them. In the second half, I was in doubt – he had to experience these moments and will keep building this fitness.”

Handing Van Dijk at least a one-year extension, if not longer, makes complete sense for Liverpool, and the same applies to Alisson, who could also potentially depart when the campaign reaches its conclusion.

Both are still among the first names on the Reds’ team sheet, and there is no reason that would change in 2027/28, or even 2028/29 for that matter.

Van Dijk looks as though he could play at this level for another three or four years, even if it means he drifts past the truly legendary level he was once at, and he can continue to be a great foil for the likes of Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni.