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Virgil van Dijk has emerged as Liverpool’s new free-kick taker during their 2025 pre-season preparations, marking a significant shift in set-piece responsibilities at the club. After years of Trent Alexander-Arnold and others handling free-kicks, recent training footage confirms Van Dijk practicing free-kicks ahead of Liverpool’s friendly match in Tokyo, signaling manager Jürgen Klopp’s intent to utilize Van Dijk’s powerful striking ability from set-pieces.

Historically, although Van Dijk displayed prowess as a free-kick specialist at his previous clubs—including FC Groningen, Celtic, and Southampton—he never took on this role regularly at Liverpool. In a 2024 interview, Van Dijk himself explained that Liverpool already had excellent free-kick takers such as Alexander-Arnold, and he did not feel the need to disrupt an effective system. Alexander-Arnold’s set-piece skills, combined with Mohamed Salah and more recently Dominik Szoboszlai, had fulfilled the role with mixed success over the years. Van Dijk emphasized, “When something is good, don’t change it that much”[1].

However, as the 2025 season approaches, the coaching staff appears to have shifted their approach. Social media posts from Liverpool’s training sessions show Van Dijk diligently working on his free-kick technique[2][4], creating buzz among fans and analysts alike who see his powerful and precise shooting as a potential threat from dead-ball situations. This change could add a new dynamic to Liverpool’s attacking set-pieces, diversifying their options and allowing Van Dijk to utilize his strengths beyond defensive duties.

Fan reactions captured on platforms like TikTok emphasize enthusiasm for Van Dijk taking over free-kick duties, highlighting expectations for increased success and impact in Liverpool’s gameplay[3][5]. As the new Premier League season starts, many will be watching closely to see how this strategic adjustment influences Liverpool’s attack and goal-scoring opportunities.

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