'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Virgil van Dijk's message to team-mates as 'leadership boys' prepare to leave Liverpool
Apr 22 2026 12:10 · By Andy Dunn/Chief Sports Writer · 40 Reads
View 3 Images
Even though he was only 26 when he left for Madrid last summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of Liverpool’s leaders at the time. He had been appointed vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp in 2023. He was an influential voice in the dressing-room.
This summer, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah - with 18 years of Anfield experience between them - are leaving. The Anfield dressing-room will be saying goodbye to a lot of know-how, which is why Virgil van Dijk is hoping the less experienced players will take on more responsibility next season.
The Liverpool captain said: “Players have to step up. You grow into that (leadership) role or you already have it in you. That is something players have to show even more next season.
“After the World Cup, in pre-season, it will be an interesting development in terms of how the manager sees it as well. And then we have to tackle the season in the best way possible and not have a season like we have had this season again.”
Even though Arne Slot ’s side won the Premier League , there was a lot of change in the summer but Van Dijk would not commit to the need for another reset. He said: “You have to ask the question to the guys higher up.
"The leadership boys are falling apart – in terms of players leaving – so players have to step up and see what the guys making the decisions are going to do. But I’m pretty sure everyone has the right intentions to make us, as a club, competitive, and hopefully not have a season like we’re having this season.”
View 3 Images
Van Dijk and his team-mates have five more games to play this season but Chelsea ’s implosion means a top-five finish - and Champions League football for 2026-27 - almost looks like a formality. But Van Dijk, 34, is having none of that.
He said: “The focus is now on finishing the season in the best way possible. I think you come to the decisive period now, so if it is slipping away you are playing against very difficult opponents and you can get knocked out – not that that is the Liverpool standard I’m used to or we should be used to, not at all.
“But the reality is we are playing five more games and we have to try to get qualification for Champions League done. It’s definitely not the standards what I expect and envision myself being a Liverpool player – just to qualify for the Champions League.”
View 3 Images
In terms of the leadership group, it would be expected that the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ibrahima Konate - assuming he signs a new deal - take a step up. And Van Dijk will need a new number two, with Szoboszlai widely tipped for that role.
Van Dijk said: “Vice-captain? I don’t want to say but I definitely have my opinion and I always share my opinion.
“Focus is now on finishing the season in the best way possible, the poor season we are having. The win against Everton was a good start.
"Five more games and the focus on what’s next and that’s the World Cup. And then focus on a good holiday – because that’s needed – and then focus on pre-season and making next season successful.”
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.