Former Liverpool defender Lovren recently discussed Van Dijk's contract situation and the possibility of Xabi Alonso returning to Anfield in an interview.
Van Dijk's contract at Anfield is entering its final year, and he expressed his willingness to extend his nearly eight-year tenure on Merseyside after Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace last Sunday.
Lovren played alongside Van Dijk at Liverpool for about 18 months, winning the Champions League, Club World Cup, and Premier League title together before Lovren departed for Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2020.
The former Croatian international believes that the Reds and Netherlands captain is still performing at a high enough level for Anfield's hierarchy to keep him for another 12 months.
"It would be strange for Van Dijk to leave Liverpool, but everything has to come to an end at some point," Lovren said. "For him, the fans, and the club, it's important that he leaves at the right time. If he can maintain this level, you could see a one-year contract extension, but of course, he has to keep proving himself on the field."
"But then again, it's very important that he gets a decent farewell. He's given so many years to the club, year after year, and he deserves it all. He has always been at the very top."
"He is undoubtedly one of Liverpool's greatest players of all time. You just have to look at the statistics, what he has achieved and what he has won, and the answer is self-evident."
"How many times has he been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, or the FIFPro World XI? It's not just a Liverpool issue; he's at the very top."
Lovren joined the Reds from Southampton for £20 million in 2014. He also believes that current Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso could still manage Liverpool someday.
Xabi Alonso rose to prominence during his time managing Bayer Leverkusen, where he was regarded as one of Europe's top young coaches. He led the team to win the Bundesliga and the German Cup.
However, after leaving Real Madrid in January, he was signed by Chelsea on May 30, two weeks before Arne Slot's dismissal at Anfield.
Nevertheless, Lovren stated that he can still imagine Xabi Alonso, a member of the 2005 Champions League-winning squad, returning to his former club someday. He added, "I have always wanted to see Xabi Alonso return to Liverpool."
"It suited him well. When he was here, the team's playing style suited him perfectly, and he played exceptionally well; everyone knows that."
"But his mentality and football philosophy also suit Liverpool. So I would never rule him out. I also believe that he will one day become Liverpool's manager in the near future."