Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is no ordinary 33 year old footballer, of course, but there is always an element of risk attached when offering a new contract to a man entering the autumn of his career.

Come July, the former Celtic and Southampton stopper will be blowing out no fewer than 34 candles.

So, while Liverpool are understandably delighted to confirm Virgil van Dijk is staying at Anfield until the summer of 2027, only time will tell whether it was the right decision to hand over a two-year deal worth £400,000-a-week to a defender with so many miles on the clock already.

Virgil van Dijk joins Mo Salah in putting pen to paper.

'Feel really good here': Liverpool's £25m Alexander-Arnold plan ruined as Slot favourite explains contract decision	BREAKING: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract as Liverpool keep world's best defender	Virgil van Dijk signs new contract as Liverpool keep world's best defender

Two deals which, according to veteran Premier League boss Sam Allardyce, not only sets Arne Slot up for future success but also ensures Liverpool have saved around £200 million in the transfer market with replacements not yet required.

Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

With a staggering 32 goals and 23 assists this season alone, Salah is showing few signs of slowing down.

Slot, meanwhile, cannot envisage Van Dijk bowing to the whims of Father Time either.

The legendary Thiago Silva looked as pristine as ever at the age of 39 in a Chelsea shirt, after all.

Van Dijk, still six years the Brazilian’s junior, could therefore have half a decade left at the elite level providing he avoids the sort of niggling injuries which tend to speed up the decline of elder statesmen.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

“How did Thiago Silva play [for so long]?

If a player is out two or three months – this is the highest level in football, the Premier League – it’s hard for players to come back straight away at that level,” Slot says, speaking at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leicester City.

At just 19, the newly-capped Amsterdam-born Spain international would be a player capable of providing cover for Van Dijk while also learning from the 2019 Champions League winner on the training pitch with an eye on stepping into his shoes later down the line.

Van Dijk is predicting a ‘big summer’ at Liverpool, with former Anfield stalwart Jamie Carragher arguing that Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike should headline six new signings.

“I think, at Liverpool, it is always a big summer,” Slot explains.

“Maybe the players don’t know what is being said in the media, but we have held on to two of those [players, Van Dijk and Salah] so it is already a big summer.
For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.