The Netherlands international, who joined Liverpool in January 2018, discussed his future and his feelings about the club during an interview with Sky Sports.
With his current deal due to expire next summer, the defender’s comments have raised questions about whether he is entering his final season at Anfield.
Asked whether he was an emotional person, Van Dijk offered a reflective response that suggested he was already thinking about the day his Liverpool journey eventually ends.
“You will see that in the future. Before you know it, it is over,” the Liverpool captain said.
He then expanded on what departing the club would mean to him, making clear that his time on Merseyside has been about far more than football.
“When I have to leave this club at some point, it will be a very emotional day. It has been a fantastic journey,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
The 35-year-old has become one of Liverpool’s defining players of the modern era since arriving from Southampton. His commanding performances at centre-back helped transform the club’s defence and played a major role in their return to the top of English and European football.
Van Dijk has made 380 appearances for Liverpool, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League among other honours. His leadership has also made him a central figure in the dressing room, with the Dutchman wearing the captain’s armband during a period of significant success and transition.
His contract situation now places Liverpool in a position where they must consider how their defence will evolve. Van Dijk remains an important presence, but the club will eventually need to plan for life after one of its most influential leaders.
The defender has previously been linked with Juventus, Real Madrid and AC Milan, although those reports do not establish that he is preparing to leave Liverpool or that any transfer negotiations are under way.
Van Dijk’s international career has also reached a significant milestone, with the centre-back having represented the Netherlands 100 times. Before moving to Liverpool, he played for Groningen, Celtic and Southampton, developing into one of Europe’s most respected defenders.
For now, Van Dijk’s comments stop short of confirming that this will be his final season. His words instead reflect an awareness that his time at Liverpool cannot last forever, and that the eventual farewell will carry considerable emotional weight.
After almost nine years at Anfield, the prospect of that day is becoming an increasingly relevant question for the captain and the club.