Liverpool told scary Virgil van Dijk reality after Nottingham Forest performance
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Virgil van Dijk continues to be vital player for Liverpool and impressed against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, despite the Dutchman approaching his 35th birthdayVirgil van Dijk was praised on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)Arne Slot and Liverpool have been reminded just how difficult it will be to replace Virgil van Dijk when he leaves Anfield.Van Dijk produced another solid display on Sunday, helping Liverpool keep a clean sheet and beat Nottingham Forest. Yet the Netherlands international will turn 35 in July, while his contract on Merseyside will expire in June 2027.READ MORE: Arne Slot sent sobering halftime message to Liverpool before late winner vs Nottingham ForestREAD MORE: Vitor Pereira makes 'unfair' Liverpool claim after Nottingham Forest heartbreak - 'Not enough'The Reds were reminded of the scary reality — that Van Dijk won't be around forever — by former Chelsea player Pat Nevin."Virgil van Dijk is such a class act," said Nevin while commentating on Sunday's game for BBC Radio 5 Live.
"You think when he leaves, he'll be so difficult to replace, and he's easily been the best player in white (the away kit) for Liverpool today."Van Dijk has been a key player for Liverpool since arriving in January 2018. The only time he's missed an extended period of time since his arrival on Merseyside was during the 2020-21 season, when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.Speaking of injuries, Florian Wirtz picked up one during the warm-up before Sunday's game.
But so many times this season, we've experienced the opposite."A draw would have been a fairer result than a win for us."If we rely on one player, then things are not good, but that is not the case. We stayed in the game."We took over the game in the second half, maybe because they played on Thursday."We scored twice, and I would not have been shocked if both goals were ruled out, but maybe our luck is turning."