“The plan…” – Virgil van Dijk shares candid thoughts after committing to new Liverpool deal

Virgil van Dijk’s contract extension with Liverpool has now been officially announced, with the club captain offering a sincere and heartfelt explanation for his decision to stay at Anfield.

Though the situation took some time to resolve, it’s clear that Van Dijk had always envisioned remaining with Liverpool as his top priority.

Reds supporters have been anxious in recent months as Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all approached the final stages of their contracts, risking potential free departures in the summer.

With both Van Dijk and Salah now committed to staying, attention turns to Alexander-Arnold, whose future remains uncertain.

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Van Dijk emphasized his unwavering intention to renew his deal:
“It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool,” he said.

“There wasn’t any doubt in my mind that this is where I belong – for me and for my family. I’m part of Liverpool. Someone even called me an adopted Scouser recently – that really meant a lot and gave me a great feeling.”

Still an essential part of Liverpool’s squad at 33, Van Dijk continues to perform at an elite level and could remain a mainstay for several more seasons, potentially following in the footsteps of veteran defenders like Thiago Silva, who played into his late 30s.

While retaining Van Dijk and Salah is a major boost for the club, fans may be disheartened by the growing belief—echoed by BBC Sport and other outlets—that Alexander-Arnold is set to leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.