Liverpool have made a ludicrous Virgil van Dijk decision this season which may cost Dutchman a new deal

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Liverpool’s decision to play him game after game after game has hung the captain out to dry.As his double at Aston Villa on Friday night showed, Van Dijk is still an absolute key player for Liverpool, and despite his drop-off, he has still been one of their better two or three performers of the season. Nevertheless, at 34, he has now made more appearances in a single campaign than any other in his Liverpool career.

Firmly in the autumn of his career, Van Dijk needs to be better looked after. Van Dijk should not be playing so muchRemarkably, with one game left to play, Van Dijk has not missed a single minute of Premier League action for Liverpool this season.That is not unusual for the centre-back; it will be the third time he has achieved the feat for the Reds.READ MORE: Arne Slot insists Liverpool’s summer transfer window will be transformational after Aston Villa shamePhoto by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesThe difference, however, is that on those two previous occasions, Van Dijk was still in his 20s.

Had Guehi been signed and Leoni stayed fit, he likely would have been given the rest he needs to prolong his career further.Despite the mitigating factors, though, Slot did not have to keep flogging Van Dijk. We need a favour from City against Bournemouth… Photo Credit: Getty Images/ Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC Things have to change next yearClearly, Van Dijk deserves enormous credit for being able to play such a huge amount of football at his veteran age, but he will know that this cannot continue.With the World Cup coming, and even more football to be played this summer, next year has to look different for the No.