TA: Van Dijk's contract expires end of June, player says he's not panicking

According to The Athletic, the Liverpool captain's contract expires at the end of June, and he is no closer to deciding his future.

Virgil Van Dijk insists he is "not panicking" about his future plans beyond this season, as he weighs up whether this will be his last season at Liverpool.

The captain's contract expires at the end of June, and he has yet to make a decision on his future.

Multiple rounds of discussions are expected in the coming weeks and months, but Van Dijk, 35, says he is calm and focused despite the uncertainty of what comes next.

"I want to keep playing, keep performing as I am right now, and then we'll see what this season brings," he told reporters after the win against Crystal Palace.

"I've had a fantastic time so far. If the contract gets renewed, it gets renewed; if not, then I'll go somewhere else. There's nothing to say right now, but that doesn't mean there's any pressure or anything.

"I'm in good form, but right now this isn't about me personally, I'm not panicking at all."

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Van Dijk has played every minute of every Premier League game for Liverpool this season, also helping new signing Jérémy Jacquet adapt to playing alongside him at center-back.

His meticulous planning and attention to detail have kept him in excellent physical condition for years, but he admitted to struggling with minor injuries in recent weeks, which led to his withdrawal from the Netherlands squad this week.

"My mental state is good, but I've been struggling with some minor physical issues in the past few weeks, but I will do everything I can to play," he added.

Van Dijk last signed a new contract with Liverpool in April 2025. His original contract was set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season, after which he agreed to a new two-year deal, ending uncertainty about his future.

Is a new contract for Van Dijk and Liverpool reasonable?

The fact that Van Dijk, 35, continues to play despite physical discomfort is testament to his complete dedication to the team's cause. He has always loved the thrill of playing in the Premier League and cherishes the honor of representing Liverpool.

Ideally, it would be reasonable for him to play for the club for another year, as there are currently no obvious signs of injury or fatigue, and he remains a leading figure off the pitch.

But one day, he will no longer be the reliable center-back he is today, and Liverpool will have to weigh this when deciding whether to renew his contract.

It would be sad to see him decline to the point of becoming a burden on the team and ultimately leave a year too late. This does not seem to be the case right now, and there are many other uncertainties in the defense – Joe Gomez's contract also expires in June, and Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from an ACL injury and is currently sidelined – so staying for another year seems like a sensible option.