Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has shocked fans and pundits alike by signing a staggering seven-year contract extension at the age of 33 a move many are calling a sentimental risk rather than a strategic football decision.
The Dutch defender, whose previous deal was set to expire in 2025, will now remain at Anfield well into his 40s, raising eyebrows about the club’s long-term planning under FSG and new sporting leadership.
Despite speculation over his future and a perceived decline in form following injury setbacks, Liverpool’s hierarchy has handed their aging captain a long-term deal that critics argue could backfire, both financially and competitively.
“Why offer a seven-year deal to a 33-year-old?” asked one fan online. “This isn’t loyalty — it’s negligence. Liverpool should be building for the future, not clinging to the past.
Van Dijk, who arrived from Southampton for a then-world record fee of £75m, has won the Champions League and Premier League with the Reds. However, with Liverpool set for a major summer rebuild, some insiders are questioning whether tying down an aging defender reflects a lack of ambition or foresight.
Still, Van Dijk appeared unfazed by the criticism, stating: “There wasn’t any doubt in my mind. I’m an adopted Scouser now. I feel great, physically and mentally.
With younger talents waiting in the wings and a new manager expected soon, the decision to lock in the veteran has left many wondering: is Liverpool evolving or stuck in nostalgia?
