Story byWhy Virgil van Dijk Could Anchor Liverpool’s Next Era Under a New SystemAnfield IndexSat, January 17, 2026 at 8:50 AM UTC·3 min readVirgil van Dijk and the Value of ControlThere is a growing assumption that Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool career is nearing its natural conclusion. He is 34, the legs are not quite what they were, and the chaos-heavy demands of the current system have exposed moments that were once erased by sheer athletic dominance. But context matters, and systems matter even more. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUnder the right coach and within the right structure, Virgil van Dijk could yet become the most important defensive asset Liverpool possesses over the next three seasons. A shift toward a back three — something that feels increasingly likely should Xabi Alonso arrive — would suit Van Dijk perfectly.
