Virgil van Dijk 'not in any panic' over Liverpool contract talks

Van Dijk says he is relaxed about his Liverpool future with contract talks not yet begun; his deal expires June 2026.

Virgil van Dijk has said he is "not in any panic" over his Liverpool contract situation, with formal discussions yet to begin on an extension. The centre-back's current deal expires in June 2026. Van Dijk, who has captained Liverpool since July 2023, told press after the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace that he wants to keep playing and will see what the season brings.

"If that will be extended, that's the case. If not, then I will go somewhere else," he said. "There's nothing to report at the moment but that doesn't mean that there's any stress or anything."

The 35-year-old has a history of leaving contract negotiations late: he previously signed a two-year extension in April 2025 when his deal was due to expire that summer, and at that time rejected overtures from other clubs. He has played every Premier League minute for Liverpool this season but withdrew from the Netherlands' Nations League squad in November due to a minor issue.