The Netherlands have just been knocked out of Euro 2024 and that means Van Dijk heads back to Liverpool after comments made about his future.
Liverpool's captain Virgil Van Dijk has worried Liverpool fans with comments made after his loss to England in the Semi-final of the Euros with Netherlands.
In a press conference after the game, Van Dijk confessed to "thinking carefully" about his future.
The Liverpool captain has one year left on his contract at Liverpool and with his comments he has concerned the Liverpool fan base, with them worried he will not sign a new deal next season.
“I will think carefully this summer about what I want, at club level and as an international player,” said the Dutchman.
According to the Athletic, Liverpool remain calm about the situation and they feel they do not need to rush anything.
Arne Slot's impact
A good thing for Liverpool fans Arne Slot's appointment will reduce the chance of Van Dijk leaving.
As captain, he will likely be Slot's man to carry this team through the transition period that is a new manager.
After Jurgen Klopp left, alongside Thiago Alcantara and other club legends these past few years, a world class player and leader in Van Dijk might be just what the club needs for the next three years to steady the ship.
At the end of May, he was asked about his new manager Arne Slot
“I didn’t have the feeling that this was a farewell conversation and I think he also sees me in Liverpool 2.0," he stated.
“I got the feeling that he is happy that I am still there and will be there next season so that I can help him where necessary. This allows us to achieve success on the field.”
These comments may give hope to Liverpool fans that Arne Slot wants Van Dijk and he wants a future with Liverpool.
What is next?
Liverpool will need to keep an eye on Van Dijk's contract and begin talks soon if they want to keep their star man to themselves and not let him go on a free next summer.
With Van Dijk being 33, one of the highest-paid players at Liverpool and still one of their star players, they would be more than inclined to offer him a contract.
One reason they are delaying the decision so long is so that can analyse it as he's got one year left and offering him a new one will mean he is likely to decline by the end of his new contract if given.
Therefore, Liverpool will need to analyse what kind of package they want to give to Virgil Van Dijk as he is still a key factor in this team being the captain and leader.
Leadership
After a disappointing season in the 2022/2023 season Liverpool finished 5th and to make things worse Liverpool's captain and vocal leader Jordan Henderson left which left a hole in the club.
Van Dijk was chosen by Klopp to be the new leader for the team and he took the opportunity that was given to him and it showed why he was given it.
In the EFL Cup final, Van Dijk led a team with many youth academy players to lift the trophy, scoring the deciding goal in extra time.
Van Dijk's leadership has been key across the whole squad but someone who he has specifically helped and partnered with is Jarell Quansah.
The youngster spent a year on loan at Bristol Rovers and was seen as not good enough so to see him shine in a star-studded Liverpool side shocked everyone.
Van Dijk's mentorship seem to be one of the reasons why Quansah was so good last season. Slot is looking for that in his captain to develop these young stars.
In the new era Virgil Van Dijk could be the key to success being one of the best defenders in the world but a great leader to rely on and Arne Slot may put his full belief in him.
