Liverpool should take time over the futures of captain Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson, with both players’ contracts due to expire at the end of the season.
The pair played the full 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 8 November, a result which again underlined their importance. Alisson said afterwards that he wanted to remain at Liverpool, while Van Dijk insisted he was under no pressure to make a decision.
“I would love to stay,” Alisson said. “It depends on many factors, and also on the specific situation, but my own wish is to stay. I want to play at the highest level for as long as possible, I still yearn to win titles, and I also want to perform well. My agent is communicating with the club.”
Van Dijk replied: “That’s what he said? I feel good, but the focus isn’t on me right now. I’m not in a hurry at all, let’s see what happens for the rest of this season. There’s nothing new, and I don’t feel any pressure.”
Both players have featured every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign so far, although they will benefit from a break during the international window. Van Dijk withdrew from the Netherlands squad for games against Greece and Germany with a minor muscle injury, while Brazil coach Ancelotti left Alisson out to assess younger players in friendlies against Japan and Singapore.
Liverpool begin a run of 11 matches in 39 days with the visit of Manchester United on 22 November. The club will welcome the chance to rest two veterans after Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai all returned injured from the previous international break, placing a considerable burden on manager Andoni Iraola.
Sporting director Julian Ward is in contact with both players’ representatives, but a quick resolution is not expected. Liverpool must weigh the length of any new contracts, the basic salary and the use of appearance-related bonuses rather than allowing sentiment to dictate the terms.
That lesson is particularly relevant after Mohamed Salah’s contract saga. He scored 34 goals in 2024-25, making it understandable that Liverpool kept him as the highest-paid player in the club’s history. His form then declined sharply, however, during a difficult later period under Slot. After their relationship deteriorated, Liverpool agreed to end the final year of Salah’s contract early. He joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer soon after turning 34, despite receiving a fitting farewell at Anfield.
Van Dijk will turn 36 next July, with Alisson turning 35 a few months later. Yet centre-backs and goalkeepers often enjoy longer careers than wingers, and Van Dijk has been outstanding this season apart from an expensive Champions League error against Villarreal. He has not missed a Premier League minute since being rested at Brighton & Hove Albion in May 2025, after Liverpool had secured the title.
Alisson has been less consistent, particularly with his distribution, but his saves against Crystal Palace and dominance of his area demonstrated his quality. Recurring hamstring problems caused him to miss 32 Premier League matches across the previous three seasons. This campaign he has remained fit and played every minute in the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool also have succession issues. Jeremy Jacquet, 21, has impressed but admits he benefited from playing alongside Van Dijk. Giovanni Leoni, 19, and 18-year-olds Ifeanyi Nduka and Mor Talla Ndiaye remain in development. Joe Gomez’s contract also expires next summer, while Liverpool must decide whether to sign Ronald Araujo permanently from Barcelona for 55 million euros.
Alisson remains the club’s most complete goalkeeper despite some decline in his footwork. Giorgi Mamardashvili has improved but is not yet an established successor, while 18-year-old Luca Brouwers will arrive from Genk next summer after a 30 million pound agreement in September.
Van Dijk joined from Southampton in January 2018 and Alisson arrived from Roma six months later. They helped Liverpool win the Champions League against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid in 2019 and are the only starters from that final still at the club.
Their departure would mark the end of an era, but saying goodbye to either at Anfield next May would appear premature.
