Ex-England defender Joleon Lescott has forecast that Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk will conclude his playing days at Anfield.
The analyst, whose top-flight career included stints at Everton and Manchester City, has noted the Reds star’s commanding presence. Given this, he anticipates van Dijk will help the next generation progress.
Van Dijk was among three Liverpool luminaries whose futures seemed unclear as the 2024/25 campaign drew to a close, though he remains the sole member of that group still at the club. Trent Alexander-Arnold departed that summer while Mohamed Salah offered the Reds one further year before joining Trabzonspor in August.
The captain committed to fresh terms in April 2025, though that contract concludes at season’s end. Nevertheless, Lescott believes van Dijk will remain and surpass the ten-year milestone as a Liverpool player.
Speaking exclusively at TNT Sports’ ‘Levels’ Trophy Cabinet event in London, Lescott suggested van Dijk would likely finish his career there or extend his tenure further, noting the defender shows no signs of declining in any aspect. While acknowledging Liverpool’s overall challenging season, he maintained van Dijk’s performances throughout demonstrated his quality. Lescott indicated the club would likely take additional steps to protect him and suspected he would not feature for the entirety of every match to extend his career, given his value even when not playing weekly and his significance to the entire organisation.
The captain assumed the armband at Anfield during summer 2023 following Jordan Henderson’s move to Al-Ettifaq. Beyond his broader leadership duties, he is tasked with developing young centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni both on and off the pitch.
Liverpool have also bolstered their defensive leadership this summer by acquiring Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona. The Uruguayan led the Catalan side on several occasions last term and could make the move permanent next summer should the arrangement prove successful.
Lescott recognises the importance of incorporating experienced leaders to facilitate a seamless transition when van Dijk eventually chooses to retire or move on. He observed that Liverpool have managed this effectively with Jordan Henderson and James Milner, establishing a leadership collective that has transmitted their knowledge and professional habits, which he considers equally vital. He expects van Dijk is focused on demonstrating to younger players the standards expected of a Liverpool professional both on and off the field.