Hendrick: Liverpool aren’t going anywhere with Van Dijk locked in | OneFootball

Virgil van Dijk Signs New Liverpool Contract: A Statement of Intent

Van Dijk Stays, Rivals Wobble

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has put pen to paper on a new deal, and as Dave Hendrick of Anfield Index’s Daily Red podcast put it, “Happy Virgil van Dijk new contract day to all who celebrate.” The timing couldn’t be better for Liverpool fans, who’ve endured endless speculation about key players leaving post-Klopp. Today, though, it’s about clarity and continuity.

“I want you to put the word out there that we’re back up. We’re not going anywhere,” Hendrick proclaimed, quoting The Wire’s Stringer Bell with an audible grin. It’s a rallying cry for Reds everywhere — and a hammer blow to rival fans who “spend the prophesising that we were done.”

Both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are now locked in, quashing rumours that this season was their swansong. “Mo signed. Virgil signed. Both of them locked in. Both of them hungry for more silverware,” Hendrick emphasised.

Irreplaceable At The Back

In his breakdown, Hendrick didn’t shy away from acknowledging just how monumental Van Dijk’s presence is to this Liverpool team. “He’s the best centre-back on the planet and it’s not close,” he asserted, with a pointed jab at “pretenders” like William Saliba.

Hendrick put it plainly: “If Virgil was leaving this summer… we would need to spend probably in the region of £75 to £80 million, maybe even more.” The shortlist of players who could match Van Dijk’s quality is short and elite. “There really is only one which is Alessandro Bastoni,” he noted, before explaining the challenges of adapting to a new system.

Other potential replacements like Jarrad Branthwaite, Levi Colwill, or Ousmane Diomande might take “two years to hit that top level.” And even then, Hendrick cautioned, “I’m not saying the Virgil level… that’s a level that three or four centre-backs ever have reached.”

Built Different: The Mentality of a Legend

More than just talent, Van Dijk’s mindset sets him apart. Hendrick revealed, “Virgil believes that he can maintain his form for three or four more years… Virgil has embraced the grind.” In his view, the Dutchman is chasing longevity like “LeBron James, Roger Federer, Tom Brady — the true greats.”

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As Hendrick has said many times before, “Thiago Silva couldn’t lace Virgil van Dijk’s boots… even in his prime.” And yet Silva was starting for Chelsea at 39. “There’s no reason to think [Van Dijk] couldn’t play another four.”

New Era Under Arne Slot

This new contract signals more than just a retained player — it’s a commitment to Liverpool’s future, now under Arne Slot following Jürgen Klopp’s departure. Hendrick didn’t mince words: “There’s no replicating Virgil. Because of the nature of the position he plays, you just can’t do it.”

That’s why this moment feels monumental. Liverpool have secured their cornerstone. While other areas of the squad may evolve, the centre of defence will remain anchored by a Rolls-Royce of a defender. “That’s the base of your team. It’s the bedrock of your team,” said Hendrick, capturing the weight of the decision.