Van Dijk: I love Liverpool and Liverpool loves me

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said that he thinks he can continue to play at the highest level for years to come, despite the uncertainty over his Anfield future continuing.

The 33-year-old is out of contract on Merseyside at the end of the season, alongside other key players Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Van Dijk has been imperious once again for the Reds this season, making more successful passes (1141) in the Premier League this campaign than any other player.

The Dutchman has also won a team-high 49 aerial duels in the top-flight for Liverpool, with only Ryan Gravenberch (33) making more interceptions than Van Dijk this season.

Negotiations over a new deal for all involved are currently ongoing, though Van Dijk has remained secretive over where his future lies.

But ahead of Liverpool’s game against Leicester City on Boxing Day, he was effusive about his relationship with the club, having joined back in 2018 from Southampton.

“I love the club, the club loves me. I love the fans, the fans love me, and it is a very good foundation to be successful,” he said, during an interview with Amazon Prime.

“In my opinion, I can play for another three, four years at least at the highest level. We will see what the future brings.”

It’s MATCHDAY!

Boxing Day football comes to Anfield #WalkOn | #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/RsbebzFnlW

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2024

With the Foxes up next at Anfield for Liverpool, Van Dijk will be hoping to continue the Reds’ impressive form the day after Christmas.

Liverpool have won their last seven league games played on Boxing Day, the longest current run among any side in England’s top four tiers, and the Reds’ longest ever such run.

It has been an impressive start to life at Liverpool for manager Arne Slot, with his side currently unbeaten in their last 21 matches in all competitions (W18 D3).

It’s their longest run without defeat since a streak of 25 between April and November 2021, and their longest within a single season since a run of 24 between January and May 1989.

“I think the step from, with all respect, the Dutch league to the Premier League is a big one in terms of being a player, but for a manager, it is exactly the same,” said Dutch international Van Dijk.

“He has done very well so far, and he has, in my opinion, inherited a very good squad not only as football players but as human beings – guys who will go to war for each other – and I think he has been so far so good.

“He makes sure we keep working, are not satisfied, focus on what is ahead of us next, and keep improving. You see the patterns we try to do, you see, we can change in games or at half-time, and it’s obviously a big credit to him.”