Virgil van Dijk may have just worried millions of Liverpool fans with new clue over his future - opinion
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Unfortunately, however, the sad fact looms that Van Dijk is now 34 years old and is surely in the latter stages of his career at Anfield.For now, the Dutchman looks as imperious as ever, but there is clear doubt over whether he will extend a contract which currently runs for another 18 months.Initially, Van Dijk was bullish about staying with Liverpool beyond 2027. However, the centre-back has now made a changing room declaration which could throw that into doubt.Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty ImagesVirgil van Dijk hints at Netherlands retirementIt isn’t only Liverpool who benefit from having Van Dijk to lean on in game after game.
He has been a rock for the Netherlands national team since 2015.The Liverpool captain will lead the Oranje into his second World Cup next summer after they put the finishing touches to their qualification on Tuesday.READ MORE: Three Liverpool stars can still go to the World Cup despite failing to qualify automaticallyThe win over Lithuania also marked the 72nd time Van Dijk had worn the captain’s armband for the Netherlands, setting a new record.After the 4-0 victory, Liverpool’s No. “I’m already excited for the final tournament and to achieve success together.”While it is possible that the veteran defender simply meant the World Cup ‘finals’ and his comments were lost in translation, Van Dijk has sent Liverpool fans scrambling with a suggestion that the end of his career could be nearing.Netherlands retirement could extend Van Dijk’s Liverpool stayAny hint that Van Dijk could be close to calling it a day will send shivers down Liverpool supporters’ spines.He is that good that it genuinely will be impossible to replace Van Dijk at Anfield.
As things stand, that will be one year out from Van Dijk’s Liverpool exit.However, just because he is not planning to take part for the Netherlands does not mean his time with the Reds will also be over. It could feasibly be that Van Dijk is planning to simply focus on Liverpool at that stage and he may already have signed an extension beyond his current terms.Either way, Van Dijk’s message was a reminder that Liverpool will not be able to count on him forever, and that is a sobering thought for millions of fans across the world.