Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has claimed that Virgil van Dijk is ‘obviously unhappy’ at Anfield and has tipped him to leave the club in the near future.
Named Liverpool captain at the beginning of the season following Jordan Henderson’s exit, Van Dijk has largely been back to his imperious best this term.
However, with his contract expiring in 2025 and Jurgen Klopp departing, there have been rumours suggesting that the skipper could be on the move this summer.
Borussia Dortmund are one of the clubs named with interest in the 32-year-old, although the positive news for Reds supporters is that Liverpool’s recent 2024/25 home kit launch did include the Dutch international.
But according to Liverpool icon Souness, Van Dijk is seemingly not happy at Anfield and could well explore his options in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Speaking on the Three Up Front podcast, Souness warned incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot of Van Dijk’s potential exit this summer.
“If you’d asked me about this a month ago, I would’ve said whoever takes over from Jurgen Klopp is inheriting the most fabulous situation, but I can’t say that anymore,” said Souness.
“With the way that they’ve performed this month, Liverpool have now got a big question mark against their character.
“The fact that Virgil van Dijk’s contract end is coming up worries me, he’s 33 in July, and if his agent were to call up the sporting director at Real Madrid, they’d take him.
“I just look at him now and the noise he’s been making, which he hasn’t done throughout his career, and I think he’s obviously unhappy.
“He’ll have asked questions about the new manager already and will be the one that Arne Slot has to win over. Slot must get Van Dijk onside – he’s the captain – but Van Dijk might not fancy him.
“He might’ve heard something on the grapevine and may think that this guy won’t take the team where they want to be, the clock is ticking on his career, maybe he needs to go someplace else to win more silverware.
“He has won two of the big ones with Liverpool, but he’s not a serial winner.”
Van Dijk has been coy on his future in recent months and Liverpool will have to make a big decision on whether to hand him a new deal this summer, or let him walk away for nothing in 2025.
Slot will have to have in-depth discussions with the centre-back, although Van Dijk has been positive when discussing the Feyenoord boss recently.
There is no doubting that Van Dijk is essential to Liverpool’s backline with his experience, leadership and ability, but his contract situation undoubtedly throws up questions about his future.
