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Netherlands' national football team's players Virgil van Dijk looks on during a press conference on the eve of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G European qualification football match against Malta(Image: Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has ruled out ever returning to the Eredivisie.

The Liverpool captain started his senior career with FC Groningen, having spent his youth career in the Willem II academy.

The 33-year-old will play at Groningen’s Euroborg stadium for only the second time since leaving the club when the Netherlands host Malta in their latest World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

Ahead of the game, the centre-back was asked whether he would ever consider a return to Groningen or Willem II.

But Van Dijk quickly dismissed such a notion, insisting that he has no desire to finish his career back in his homeland.

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“No, unfortunately not,” he said at a press conference.

“I am very clear about that.

“I will not return to the Netherlands.

I started here and that was very important to me.

“I am very clear that I do not want to return to the Eredivisie.

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"I am quite proud of my career so far and I think that finishing in the Eredivisie is not an option.”

Van Dijk signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool back in April, committing his future to the Reds until the end of the 2026/27 season.

The centre-back will be just shy of his 36th birthday when his current deal expires.

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Now a two-time Premier League champion, having captained Liverpool the title this season, Van Dijk has also won the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, two League Cups, the FA Cup and European Super Cup during his time at Anfield.

Van Dijk has made 319 appearances for Liverpool to date, scoring 28 goals and returning 10 assists, and has already well-established himself as an Anfield legend.