Van Dijk enters the new season in a particularly important role as Liverpool's defense is lacking both experience and depth. At the age of 35, the Dutch center-back is still the most reliable stopper in the context of Ronald Araujo joining on loan, while Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet do not have many playing opportunities.
Van Dijk has just experienced a season with a huge playing volume. He played about 6,121 minutes for the club and the national team, more than any other player in the top 5 European leagues. As for Liverpool, he played 4,941 minutes and did not miss any minute in the Premier League. This number shows The Kop's level of dependence on the Dutch center-back.
However, Liverpool enters the new season with a volatile defense. Joe Gomez is injured, while Leoni and Jacquet have not yet played in the pre-season period. Araujo has moved to Anfield, but Liverpool still needs Van Dijk to play the role of leader and maintain stability for the defense.
Van Dijk himself does not see age as a barrier. He affirmed that he still feels energetic and ready to meet the dense schedule. It is noteworthy that this center-back is also clearly aware of the responsibility of a captain: taking care of himself, maintaining physical condition and preparing for each match.
After the Dutch team was eliminated in the round of 32 of the World Cup, Van Dijk also did not have a long vacation like some teammates at Liverpool. He admitted that he wanted to rest more after a long and stressful year, but only had a few more days of rest at the club's training center instead of going to the US with the team.
That professionalism partly explains why Van Dijk still maintains his central position in Liverpool's plans. He has also begun to get used to the next generation in defense. Jacquet is considered a potential option after the departure of Ibrahima Konate, and young talent Ifeanyi Ndukwe also impressed in the pre-season period.
Van Dijk pays special attention to Jacquet and expects the young French center-back to return to play soon. However, the thin personnel situation makes Liverpool need Araujo to quickly integrate to avoid putting too much burden on the captain.
In his first season under Andoni Iraola, Van Dijk will also play a bridging role between the coaching staff and the dressing room. He actively exchanged with the new coach from the first week and affirmed that he is ready to support anything Iraola needs.
That is an important task as Liverpool is entering a transitional period. Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah have left the team, causing the average age of the squad to decrease significantly. Van Dijk is therefore even more prominent as an experienced leader in a changing team.
Van Dijk's contract will enter its final year, and he is also getting closer to the final years of his career. However, the Dutch center-back is still determined to maintain the highest possible form. In the period Liverpool is rejuvenating the squad, Van Dijk's experience and bravery are still important factors helping The Kop's defense maintain stability.
