Liverpool have finally drawn a line under their disastrous 2025/26 season after delivering a predictably limp performance against Brentford on Sunday.
The 1-1 draw rather summed things up for the Reds this season, with the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson underlining the feeling within Anfield that an era has truly come to an end.
With question marks lingering over Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez, there is a very real possibility that Virgil van Dijk is the final man standing from the glorious Jurgen Klopp era when the curtain comes up on 2026/27.
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Through everything, Van Dijk has remained a pillar of strength for Liverpool this season, helping his teammates through the tragic death of Diogo Jota and going on to become the oldest player to play every minute of a Premier League season.
Fans have been frustrated with their captain at times for dropping his own level and for the constant stream of copy-cat post-match interviews. However, the season has clearly taken a big toll on Van Dijk, and as he sat on the Anfield turf and looked on at the end of Sunday’s match, it was clear that he needs picking up ahead of his own likely farewell in 12 months’ time.
Virgil van Dijk looked like a broken man
Before Van Dijk sank to the turf after saying goodbye to Salah and Robertson, the Dutchman gave an interview to Sky Sports in which he sounded – and looked – like a man broken by the past 10 months.
“It’s been the most challenging year of my career. It’s tough to take, tough to go through that as a team,” he said.
It was a reminder of the hurdles that have been thrown in Liverpool’s way this season, and an insight into just how much Van Dijk has had to take on himself.
The centre-back has led the team admirably, and it cannot have been easy to come out week after week and face up to questions about another terrible performance. At full-time on Sunday, it all just looked like it had caught up with Van Dijk.
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Liverpool need more help for Van Dijk next season
Although Liverpool fans will be hoping that a clean slate can now be wiped ahead of next season, the reality is that there could easily be a hangover from those who lived through it.
Van Dijk is a top professional, and he could easily put this all to the back of his mind and go again next year. But it may also not be that simple.
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The 34-year-old has a World Cup to contend with this summer, and although the change of scenery could be a good thing, he also carries the weight of the Netherlands as their captain and star player, and that will come with its own issues.
Worryingly, Van Dijk will also lose the majority of his leadership group at Liverpool when he returns, and is going to have to shoulder even more of the burden.
Other players will have to step up, and there is still hope that the likes of Alisson and Joe Gomez may remain, but Van Dijk will need a new vice-captain for the second year in succession, and as very much the leader in the team, the onus will be on him to pull Liverpool out of their slump.
Over the years Van Dijk has shown that he can tuck poor form away and roar back to being one of the best in the business. But with age beginning to catch up with him and some of his most trusted teammates departing, there should be worry among supporters that this time could be a bit different.
At the very least, Arne Slot must ensure that his captain does not play anything like as much next season. Jeremy Jacquet’s arrival should help with that. Beyond taking more rest, though, Van Dijk also needs some big characters back in the dressing room to help him when things get tough. Without that, things could unravel even further very quickly.
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