Liverpool’s latest 2-3 defeat against Fenerbahce has raised questions over the depth in Andoni Iraola’s squad at Anfield. Having lost the crucial Premier League game against Arsenal at home and suffered their first Champions League defeat of the campaign, the pressure grows on the Liverpool hierarchy to strengthen the squad.
As Liverpool continue to link with a new left-back and an experienced holding midfielder in the near future, the growing inconsistency in defence has extended the club’s priorities to a new centre-back as well.
Virgil van Dijk continues to lead Liverpool’s defence, but the Dutchman has entered the final year of his contract at Anfield, leaving uncertainty surrounding his long-term future. Amidst the uncertainty, a fresh insight into Van Dijk’s future has emerged from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who has addressed the question of a new contract for the Liverpool captain.
David Ornstein claims that there are no ongoing contract extension talks with the Dutchman, as he feels it is too early in the season for such discussions. Liverpool faced a similar situation during the 2024-25 season, before both van Dijk and Mohamed Salah eventually committed their futures to the club in April. Ornstein believes that Liverpool and van Dijk are likely to open talks in the same period next year.
Ornstein also suggested that any future agreement will ultimately depend on van Dijk’s performances this season and the financial terms involved. He is earning a base salary of £350,000, which makes him the highest earner at Liverpool. The player will be 36 in July next year, so the figure will play a big role during potential contract renewal negotiations.
“Last time around, when he did sign, Van Dijk said it was only ever Liverpool, and that was his clear focus,” Ornstein said. “And I suspect he would like to continue further, as long as his body and his level allow that. On that occasion, as far as I know, it was amicable, with cordial talks between the two parties, and I’d suspect that would take place again. I think at this stage in his journey, it’s maybe a bit early for us to be discussing whether he’s going to get a new contract. That’s one for that first part of 2027.”
🚨@david_ornstein on potential Van Dijk renewal talks: Last time around, when he did sign, Van Dijk said it was only ever #LFC, and that was his clear focus. And I suspect he would like to continue further, as long as his body and his level allow that. On that occasion, as far as I know, it was amicable, with cordial talks between the two parties, and I’d suspect that would take place again. I think at this stage in his journey, it’s maybe a bit early for us to be discussing whether he’s going to get a new contract. That’s one for that first part of 2027.
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) November 3, 2026
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk has occasionally faced criticism over his performances in recent months, triggering questions over the club’s position on the player’s future contract talks.
Regardless of the outcome over the former Southampton defender’s future, the club lack depth in the centre-back position. The English centre-back Joe Gomez’s contract also expires in the summer, while Ronald Araujo’s potential permanent transfer depends on manager Andoni Iraola’s plans for the Uruguayan.
Summer signing Jeremy Jacquet has adapted to English football rather well, playing alongside Virgil van Dijk at the centre of Liverpool’s defence. He has already won the club’s Player of the Month award twice and is tipped to be a crucial part of Liverpool’s future. Giovanni Leoni has yet to make an impact since his big-money arrival in the summer last season, but remains highly rated at the Reds.
However, both Jacquet, 21, and the 18-year-old Leoni lack the experience to step into van Dijk’s shoes if the club captain departs at the end of the season. Liverpool are already monitoring the market for a new centre-back, with rumoured links to Brighton’s Luka Vuskovic and Nottingham Forest’s Murillo.
