When Virgil van Dijk signed a contract extension last August, he promised to restore Liverpool to the summit of English football. Ten months later the Dutch colossus delivered, marshalling the league’s best defence and lifting the trophy in front of a roaring Kop. Across 34 league appearances he won 78 percent of aerial duels, completed 93 percent of passes, and helped record 19 clean sheets, equalling a club record set in 2019. Van Dijk’s leadership transcended statistics. Team mates credit him with setting the tone in pre season when doubts lingered about life after Jurgen Klopp. Cody Gakpo recalled a fiery meeting in July where the captain demanded unwavering commitment to Slot’s pressing triggers. That same intensity was visible during the decisive 5 1 victory over Tottenham as Van Dijk powered in a towering header for Liverpool’s third and sprinted the length of the field to celebrate with the Kop. His calm authority steadied the side during a rocky February spell that included back to back Champions League defeats. After a 2 1 loss in Munich, Van Dijk conducted a spontaneous huddle on the Allianz pitch, reminding younger players of the bigger picture. Liverpool promptly embarked on an eight match domestic winning streak. Injury free for the first time in three seasons, the centre half rolled back the years with trademark recovery sprints and raking cross field passes that triggered counter attacks. Slot praised him as the best defender in Europe, and club legend Alan Hansen told BBC Radio Merseyside that Van Dijk’s 2024 25 campaign belongs in any conversation about all time great Premier League seasons for a centre back. Now 33, he hinted at chasing one more title before a final challenge in the United States or Saudi Arabia. For now, Van Dijk’s status as Liverpool’s modern Captain Fantastic is assured, his confetti drenched image destined to join Hughes, Smith, and Gerrard in Anfield folklore.
