Liverpool captain Van Dijk graced the cover of the Autumn/Winter 2026 issue of the British men's fashion and culture magazine "Man About Town" and gave an in-depth exclusive interview to journalist Ben Tibbits. In the first part of this interview, the 35-year-old Dutch defender discussed Liverpool's new chapter, new manager Iraola, new signing Barcola, and his national team career and desire for victory.
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Meeting Van Dijk in Greater Manchester inherently carries a subtle contrast. After all, the city that truly loves him is at the other end of the M62 motorway, where port docks and Beatles memorabilia are ubiquitous.
He has become a local embraced by Liverpudlians, a symbol of hope and humility. As captain and leader of both Liverpool FC and the Dutch national team, he is revered by fans almost as a hero. He is also widely recognized as one of the most influential defenders in football history.
The sky was overcast and grey when I arrived at an unassuming photography studio in Salford on the first Tuesday of September.
Van Dijk's cover shoot for Man About Town had already begun. Years of experience attending kit launches and commercial brand collaborations have made the 35-year-old as natural in front of the camera as a model or actor.
He appeared completely at ease in this environment. One moment, he was the subject of photographer Kosmas Pavlos's lens; the next, he might be humming along to a Tems song or chatting amiably with members of the creative team on set.
His signature dark long hair was neatly slicked back and tied into a bun. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he was lean and muscular. His handshake was firm yet gentle.
He possesses an understated powerful aura, a confidence and personal charm that is difficult to fake.
After the shoot, everyone else gradually departed. Van Dijk led me upstairs to a bar within the building.
It was an ornate space with a soft ambiance, featuring burgundy walls and vintage decor. As we walked in, the surround sound system was gently playing Gilbert O'Sullivan's classic 1972 song "Alone Again (Naturally)."
The bar had comfortable armchairs and sofas, and there were no other guests, but Van Dijk opted to sit on a high stool at the bar.
He jokingly ordered an Amaretto Sour cocktail, but in the end, we both chose water.
After all, it was a busy week for Van Dijk.
That morning, he and his wife Rike dropped their four children off at school. Afterward, he attended team training and a tactical meeting to prepare for the important match against Ipswich on Friday evening.
When we met, the 2026/27 Premier League season was only two weekends old, and Liverpool's start had not been ideal, drawing 2-2 with both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
However, the summer transfer window was set to close that night.
"Then we can really get to work," said Van Dijk.
This is Van Dijk's ninth full season in Merseyside. He joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018.
The new season will be a period of transition and development for Liverpool.
Last season, the team finished a disappointing fifth in the league. Van Dijk's Dutch compatriot, former manager Slot, was therefore sacked after the season, and the team welcomed a new head coach.
Iraola is a young, promising Spanish coach who arrived at Liverpool from Bournemouth.
Van Dijk believes he "works very hard." Iraola has a modern and adaptable football philosophy with exciting prospects, but the team will also need time to adapt.
The squad has also undergone significant changes.
Club legend Salah has departed, and most of the generation of players who won the Premier League and Champions League under Klopp from the late 2010s to early 2020s have now left the team.
To fill the voids left by these departures, Liverpool has invested heavily, signing several highly-regarded young stars from European football.
These include Swedish striker Isak, Van Dijk's new center-back partner Jeremie Jacquet, and the constantly threatening winger Barcola.
Van Dijk smiled when talking about Barcola. The new signing reportedly joined Liverpool for a transfer fee of £123 million, a deal the club only confirmed days before our meeting.
"He had a very good performance in training today," said Van Dijk.
"He joined for such a high transfer fee, which is not something he can control. He has already proven his abilities in France. He is a high-level player, and I think he will perform well."
With a large influx of talented but still relatively inexperienced new players, the atmosphere at the training ground has changed.
The responsibility on Van Dijk's shoulders is greater than ever. He needs to guide the team through potential difficulties and back to success.
But taking responsibility has never been something he shies away from.
On the field, he anchors the defense, commanding it with physical abilities tested in countless matches.
Unlike many players in his position who rely on physicality and aggression, Van Dijk's playing style is elegant, calm, and technically superb.
He believes this style of play is linked to his childhood experiences. As a child, he often played street football, hoping to become "Ronaldinho."
Off the field, he is a reassuring voice in the locker room, a seasoned veteran with prudent judgment.
For the head coach, he is a player who offers advice; for his teammates, he is like an older brother; and for boys and girls dreaming of becoming professional footballers, he is a role model of professionalism and dedication.
This kind of role model is especially important now, with the media landscape increasingly filled with negativity and the constant increase in competitive pressure.
"You want to be a role model in how you handle things, how you look at life," said Van Dijk.
"I feel that responsibility and really hope I can understand what that responsibility means."
"From that perspective, I am proud to be that kind of person. It always keeps me grounded in a world that can sometimes be quite chaotic."
This summer, Van Dijk experienced his share of ups and downs.
As captain of the Dutch national team, he traveled to North America for the World Cup.
Although he described the experience as "very beautiful," the Dutch team's World Cup journey ended in the Round of 32 after losing to Morocco in a penalty shootout.
Looking back at his national team career, many significant moments are tinged with regret and "what ifs."
For example, being eliminated by England in the 2024 European Championship semi-finals was a painful experience.
But Van Dijk is able to find peace amidst disappointment.
For him, football is not just about winning, but also about facing defeat.
Although the outcome of this World Cup was not as desired, he merely smiled with a touch of emotion and great equanimity.
"Sometimes that's just how life is."
"You just have to accept it. Sometimes, the other team wins."
After the World Cup, media reports suggested Van Dijk was considering retiring from the Dutch national team.
However, he quickly denied these rumors.
Now, under new national team coach Xavi Hernandez, he is already looking ahead to the European Championship in two years.
Not long ago, he also became the 11th player in Dutch football history to reach triple-digit national team appearances.
This is another milestone in his brilliant career.
In 2019, he finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting, trailing only Messi, and was also named UEFA Men's Player of the Year.
Whether at Celtic or Liverpool, he has won almost all the major trophies he could compete for in his career.
Now, he has reached an age that many professional players consider close to the end of their careers.
But Van Dijk shows no signs of stopping or even slowing down.
On the contrary, his desire for victory remains strong.
"For me, that mentality has never changed."
"Whether I'm on the pitch, in the gym, or at home, I always maintain the same desire for success."
"I have a responsibility to our fans, and to myself as well."
"I won't step onto the field with a half-hearted attitude, thinking, 'Well, things are different now.'"
"I am playing to compete and training to win. That will never change."
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