Grizz Khan Calls New Liverpool Deal a Defining Moment for the Club | OneFootball

Why Virgil van Dijk’s New Liverpool Deal Is About More Than Just Two More Years

In what many Liverpool supporters are calling the emotional high point of the season, Virgil van Dijk’s contract extension was confirmed in emphatic style. On the Chat G&G podcast, Gags Tandon and Grizz Khan broke down exactly what the deal means for the club, the fans, and the aura of one of the Premier League’s greatest ever defenders.

Van Dijk’s two-year extension has not only cemented his place in the future of Liverpool FC under Arne Slot but also reaffirms the influence and symbolism of a player widely seen as the “brains, the personality, the just the aura,” as Grizz described him, of this current squad.

Celebration of a Leader

The pair praised the way Liverpool presented the contract extension, with Gags highlighting the care taken in the club’s media work. “Some of the videos coming out, man… they treated it as such a massive big deal,” he said. “The wall of the pictures and stuff as he walks in — oh my god.”

That treatment was more than earned, according to Grizz, who made a bold claim: “Should have been the captain from the day he walked into the club.” He added, “Everybody could see he was the alpha male of the squad.”

It’s not a stretch to say that van Dijk changed the trajectory of the club upon his arrival. “As soon as he joined, we went up a level, man… we just became Champions League finalists the same season.”

End of Speculation, Start of Legacy

Van Dijk’s commitment came amid growing speculation about his future. Many feared a possible exit as the Klopp era came to an end, but Gags was quick to point out that neither Virgil nor Mohamed Salah allowed that speculation to affect their performances.

“It wasn’t affecting the teammates, it wasn’t affecting our title push,” he said. “That’s when it becomes problematic — if it became toxic. But it was very respectful.”

In fact, both players’ decision to stay seems tied to internal confidence about the club’s direction. Grizz commented on reports that both van Dijk and Salah were informed of Liverpool’s summer transfer plans and were “quite upbeat about it.”

“I think it will be normal process,” he said. “If there are new recruits to be brought in in very important roles… you’d expect the ownership to be speaking with the senior members and getting their views.”

No Farewell Tour Just Yet

Though van Dijk’s new deal is for two years, the pair made clear that this may not be the end of the story. “I think Joyce said he’s got indications that he wants to continue after that as well,” Gags noted.

There’s a sense that Liverpool may pursue a rolling contract approach as van Dijk reaches his mid-30s. “It’s the sensible way of doing things,” said Grizz. “And I’m glad that they listened and did it.”

The timing of the deal, too, has lifted the tension around the club. “The news of Mo, the news of VvD… I’m hoping everyone just relaxes a bit more,” said Gags. With Liverpool marching towards their 20th league title, the calm and leadership van Dijk brings couldn’t be more vital.

A Moment to Reflect

Both contributors were in full agreement that van Dijk belongs in the pantheon of Liverpool greats. “He’s going to go down in Premier League history as one of the greatest — maybe arguably the greatest — centre backs,” said Grizz.

As for what the moment means to fans, Gags wrapped it perfectly: “I said it with the Virgil announcement… sometimes people take the piss out of the Liverpool media team… but this time they’ve absolutely smashed it.”

Van Dijk, the wall of Liverpool, stays. And with him, the belief that more success is on the horizon.