Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has finally signed a new and improved contract with the Red which will keep the Dutchman at the club for at least 4 more years,i.e, till 2025.
Virgil missed almost the entirety of last season after suffering an ACL injury on collision with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the first Merseyside derby of 2020. After being out for almost 12 months, he has finally started training with the main team and is in contention to start Liverpool’s first game of the upcoming season against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
The dutch defender has featured in almost all of Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies and has seemed to be in decent form. Apart from a blunderous defensive error that he committed in the game against Hertha BSC, Virgil has been decent so far. It will definitely take him some time to get back to his usual self.
Virgil Van Dijk, who follows teammates Trent-Alexander Arnold and Fabinho in signing contract extensions with the club this summer, has expressed his gratitude towards the club his his statement.
Van Dijk told the Liverpool club website: “It is something to be very proud of, that I am very proud of, that my wife and my kids are very proud of and obviously my agency. All the hard work we’ve put in so far continues and I am looking forward to what the future brings together with Liverpool. I’m delighted, very happy and proud.”
“Since day one when I joined the club, I felt so much appreciation from the fans and from my teammates and the staff, that I could be a very important member of this football club.
“It has been going well; unfortunately last season for me personally has been a season to forget, to learn from and take with me, but I have enjoyed my time here and will keep enjoying it in the next couple of years altogether with all of you.”
The Dutchman joined Liverpool from Premier League side Southampton back in January 2018 for a record fee of £75 million ($104m) and has since then revolutionised the Reds backline. He is an absolute leader from the back for Liverpool who they so sincerely missed in the last season. Virgil Van Dijk’s absence was one of the prime reasons for Liverpool’s disappointing performance last season. Now that he is back, the Reds can expect an immediate improvement.
