Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has shocked fans and pundits alike by signing a staggering seven-year contract extension at the age of 33ย 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, Liverpoolโs hierarchy has handed their aging captain a long-term deal that critics argue could backfire, both financially and competitively.
โWhy offer a seven-year deal to a 33-year-old?โ asked one fan online. โThis isn’t loyalty โ itโs 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 ยฃ75m, 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: โThere wasnโt any doubt in my mind. Iโm 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? About the Author
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