Reports suggesting Liverpool would consider offers for captain Virgil van Dijk have been dismissed by The Athletic’s James Pearce. Despite speculation linking the 35-year-old with moves to Galatasaray and AC Milan, Pearce reports that new manager Andoni Iraola is ‘counting on’ the Dutch defender for the 2026/27 season.
Claims that Liverpool no longer view Van Dijk as ‘untouchable’ have also been refuted by Pearce, who stated that the club has no intention of selling their captain. This comes amid a period of change at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah also reportedly set to leave on a free transfer, and Ibrahima Konate departing for Real Madrid.
Van Dijk, who will turn 35 next week, remains the highest-paid player at Liverpool and has just one year remaining on his current contract. While his age and contract situation had led to questions about his future, his continued importance to the team has seemingly secured his place in Iraola’s plans. The club’s decision is further supported by the fact that losing Van Dijk would create a significant experience gap in the squad, particularly given the departures of Andy Robertson and Salah.
Konate’s move to Real Madrid leaves Iraola with limited options at centre-back, with only Joe Gomez and two relatively inexperienced players, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, providing cover. Gomez’s injury record further highlights the value of retaining a reliable presence like Van Dijk, who consistently features in matches despite his age. Iraola’s reliance on Van Dijk suggests he views the defender as a key component of his team as he begins his tenure at Liverpool. The confirmation of Van Dijk’s continued presence provides stability during a period of transition for the club.
