Why Virgil van Dijk Could Anchor Liverpool’s Next Era Under a New System | OneFootball

Virgil van Dijk and the Value of Control

There is a growing assumption that Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool career is nearing its natural conclusion. He is 34, the legs are not quite what they were, and the chaos-heavy demands of the current system have exposed moments that were once erased by sheer athletic dominance. But context matters, and systems matter even more.

Under the right coach and within the right structure, Virgil van Dijk could yet become the most important defensive asset Liverpool possesses over the next three seasons.

A shift toward a back three — something that feels increasingly likely should Xabi Alonso arrive — would suit Van Dijk perfectly. The frantic covering of wide channels, the repeated exposure in transition, and the isolation he currently faces in a stretched back four would disappear almost overnight. Instead, his role would be simplified but elevated: central authority, organiser, controller of space.

With two quicker, more aggressive defenders on either side of him and a controlling defensive midfielder screening in front, Van Dijk’s game would age gracefully. His reading of the play remains elite. His aerial dominance is still unmatched. His leadership, positioning, and calm under pressure are assets that don’t decline at the same rate as pace. In a calmer, more structured system, he could thrive.

We’ve seen this before. Thiago Silva extended his peak years at Chelsea by stepping into a system that valued intelligence over chaos. Van Dijk, quite frankly, is operating at a level beyond what Silva ever reached in England or anywhere else. The idea that he is declining is less about his ability and more about the environment he’s being asked to survive in.

A Back Three Built for Longevity

If Liverpool does pivot toward a back three, the pieces are already quietly aligning. There have been credible links to Tottenham’s unsettled left-sided centre-back, Micky van de Ven, — a quick, aggressive defender who would be the perfect foil to Van Dijk’s control. On the right, a more physical, front-foot defender could step into duels, allowing Van Dijk to sit in the middle and dictate. Ibrahima Konate is already in-house, and that style of player remains ideal, given his contract situation remains unresolved.

That kind of setup would dramatically reduce the stress currently placed on Liverpool’s defensive spine. No more full-backs charging forward and leaving acres behind. No more midfielders failing to screen transitions. Instead, a compact, disciplined structure built on spacing, recovery speed, and authority.

Joe Gomez suddenly becomes valuable depth rather than a constant plug. Giovanni Leoni and one of the younger centre-backs can be developed without being thrown into chaos. The defence becomes layered, protected, and sustainable — something Liverpool have lacked all season.

Most importantly, Van Dijk becomes the cornerstone rather than the firefighter.

This isn’t about nostalgia or sentimentality. It’s about maximising elite assets. Liverpool cannot afford to discard world-class leadership because of systemic failure. If anything, this period has highlighted just how much Van Dijk has been covering for others.

Under a calmer, more controlled regime — one that prioritises structure over frenzy — Virgil van Dijk could anchor Liverpool’s defence well into his late thirties. Not as a sprinter chasing wide spaces, but as the commander of territory, tempo, and belief.

If a new dawn is coming, Van Dijk shouldn’t be seen as part of the old world. He should be viewed as the bridge — the figure who stabilises transition and sets standards while the next generation grows around him.

Handled correctly, he may yet be the most important player of Liverpool’s next phase.