It has been the greatest seven days of the season so far for Liverpool supporters, as it was confirmed by the club on Thursday that Virgil van Dijk has followed in Mohamed Salah’s footsteps by penning himself to a new two-year contract extension.

Without much deliberation, it was ‘always Liverpool’ – the words of van Dijk himself in the announcement video across Liverpool’s social media platforms, and the Dutch powerhouse has transformed into one of the best central-defenders around, since joining for £75million from Southampton seven-and-a-half years ago.

To celebrate this news, we have decided to take a look back on van Dijk’s illustrious Anfield career so far, having experienced many great individual moments and selected his top five in a Red shirt.



DEBUT MERSEYSIDE DERBY GOALGetty Images.

Virgil van Dijk had a Liverpool debut to remember.

Van Dijk commits to Liverpool with new two-year deal	The inside story of why Virgil van Dijk signed his new Liverpool contract: Premier League rivals who wanted to sign him this summer NAMED and the moments that sealed a 'not easy' deal	Virgil van Dijk signs new Liverpool deal as Reds captain joins Mohamed Salah in committing to two-year contract at Anfield club after lengthy saga

Just days before the FA Cup Third-Round tie with Everton at Anfield, his then world-record move from Southampton was officially announced and the Dutchman was selected from the start.

The scores were level at 1-1 towards the latter stages, and with extra-time looming, Liverpool won themselves a corner in front of the Kop.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man to inflict pain on their nearest rivals.

Virgil van Dijk rose above a crowded area as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford misjudged the flight of the ball and the Dutch defender powered a header into the corner of the net, announcing himself to the supporters.

That was the moment.

Anfield.

Everton.

It wasn’t just a goal, it was a statement to say that the new Liverpool defender had arrived.

Little did anybody know, what was to follow.

TWO-ON-ONE VS TOTTENHAMWyscout.

Virgil van Dijk produced a defensive masterclass in Liverpool’s dramatic 2-1 victory at Anfield over Tottenham in March 2019, but the game will truly be remembered for one moment involving the Liverpool man.

Midway through the second half, Spurs managed to clear away a corner and a counter-attacking chance arose.

Van Dijk was back-pedaling as a lone man with Moussa Sissoko and Heung-Min Son breathing down his neck, two-versus-one.

He was able to keep Sissoko at bay, eventually forcing the Frenchman into a decision of whether to pass or shoot, he opted for the latter but subsequently skied the ball into Row Z of the Anfield Road stand.

Virgil van Dijk effortlessly dealt with the threat of two Tottenham players.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images.

This moment had great significance with Liverpool going toe-to-toe with Manchester City for the Premier League title, knowing any minor slip would prove costly.

With the score level at 1-1, van Dijk executed his plan to perfection and essentially prevented his side from losing the league, there and then.

It will almost certainly go down as one of the greatest ever pieces of individual defending.

THAT BAYERN HEADERDavid Rawcliffe/Propaganda.

Virgil van Dijk’s headed goal at the Allianz Arena in Liverpool’s last-sixteen UEFA Champions League tie with Bayern Munich, proved pivotal in so many ways.

The Reds played out a stalemate at Anfield in the first-leg, then travelled to Munich for the second-leg knowing they needed to score.

He provided an outrageous assist with a long-yard pass in the first half to Sadio Mane as he sent one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time in Manuel Neuer the other direction, and calmly placed the ball over the onrushing defender to lead.

But, the Dutchman provided the most-important goal in the sixty-ninth minute, with a towering corner header to restore Liverpool’s one-goal advantage at 2-1.

The Reds went onto win the second-leg by three goals to one and Virgil van Dijk’s header kickstarted their knockout journey in European competition that season.

Liverpool progressed to the Quarter-Finals with the victory over Bayern Munich and produced a miracle comeback at Anfield versus Barcelona in the last four, on their way to becoming UEFA Champions League winners for the sixth time in their history.

EXTRA-TIME HEROICSVirgil van Dijk celebrates the winner against Chelsea in the 2024 League Cup Final.

Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images.

Liverpool’s Dutchman was front and centre of another memorable cup victory in last seasons’ League Cup Final win over Chelsea.

It proved to be Jurgen Klopp’s last trophy before saying his farewell at the end of the campaign and van Dijk wanted to make his mark, again.

In a tightly-contested nil-nil affair and with the game on the brink of penalties, Liverpool were up against it with Klopp having to turn to his ‘kids’ or as they’re more formally known – Liverpool’s academy prospects.

Then, up stepped Virgil van Dijk to claim the silverware for his side in the 117th minute,a guided header into the corner, that caused the Liverpool supporters section of Wembley to erupt.

The skipper had just taken the weight of the armband to a whole new level, leading the young stars to the greatest moment of their careers, thus far, and Jürgen Klopp to his final trophy as Liverpool boss.

As former Manchester United defender, turned Sky Sports pundit, Gary Neville, referred to the success as ‘Klopp’s kids versus Chelsea’s billion-pound bottlejobs’ – he was completely correct!

WEST HAM WINNER

Just last weekend, did Virgil van Dijk add another to his Liverpool hall-of-fame.

In the late victory over West Ham at Anfield, van Dijk delivered another of his trademark headed goals to snatch an important three points, which extended the Reds’ lead at the top of the Premier League table to thirteen and edged them a step closer, towards mathematically securing the title with games to spare.

Just moments earlier, he was involved in a defensive howler between himself and Andy Robertson for an own-goal that sent West Ham level, but Liverpool’s skipper certainly made up for it with late scenes at the Kop end.

AFP.

In celebration, van Dijk gestured towards the crest on his shirt with a kiss in front of the supporters and it was a sign made ever the more clearer towards his contract announcement that was to be announced the following Thursday.

Virgil van Dijk’s decision to extend his stay at Liverpool, stretches further than just a contract renewal.

By choosing to remain at Anfield, he not only solidifies his legacy but also provides a cornerstone for Liverpool’s future ambitions with Arne Slot.

Van Dijk will be adding more memories to his Liverpool career when he becomes the first Dutch player to lift the Premier League trophy as captain, in only a matter of weeks.

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone?
For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.