David Ornstein discloses Van Dijk’s Liverpool salary as ‘no-brainer’ contract extension is finalized

Virgil van Dijk has followed Mohamed Salah in signing a new two-year contract with Liverpool, keeping both key figures at the club until 2027.

Liverpool officially confirmed the captain’s extension via their website and social media at 11am on Thursday, with Van Dijk expressing pride in the decision and reaffirming his long-standing desire to stay with the Premier League leaders.

Not long after the announcement, David Ornstein of The Athletic provided further insight into the 33-year-old’s new deal.

What is Van Dijk’s salary under his new Liverpool deal?
Van Dijk will earn £400,000 a week over the next two years, with the contract containing no break or release clauses. His salary is mostly guaranteed, ensuring he remains the highest-paid defender in Europe. Bonuses are tied to the team’s achievements rather than personal performance.

Ornstein’s colleague James Pearce described the move as a “no-brainer” for Liverpool, citing Van Dijk’s lasting influence despite his age. While offering such a significant deal to a player turning 34 in July might typically raise eyebrows, Pearce believes Van Dijk’s continued excellence justifies it.

Van Dijk proves his value once again
With both Salah and Van Dijk committing to Liverpool until 2027 on £400,000-per-week terms, the club has shown how vital they remain, even as they near their mid-30s. FSG is not usually known for offering high-paying extensions to older players, but few would argue that these two aren’t worth it.

Salah’s remarkable 32 goals and 23 assists this season underline his importance, while Pearce praised Van Dijk’s leadership, consistency, and the positive impact he has on those around him, as well as his role in maintaining high standards at the AXA Training Centre.

Though Trent Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to extend his stay and may be Real Madrid-bound, Liverpool fans appear to be taking that news in stride, especially in light of these recent contract wins.

If you had told fans earlier this month that both the club captain and top scorer would sign new deals by Good Friday, it would’ve been met with sheer delight.

Credit goes to sporting director Richard Hughes for securing two major contract renewals in quick succession—a significant achievement for the club.