Liverpool star confirms exactly what Andoni Iraola needs to do about his future | OneFootball

Liverpool have had a decent start to the 2026-27 season.

The Anfield outfit are currently unbeaten across all competitions with Andoni Iraola even managing to get a win over his former club.

Obviously, them being sixth in the Premier League table is far from ideal with clubs such as Brighton, Brentford and Leeds all sitting above them in the table.

Six points separate Liverpool and first-placed Manchester City at the moment with Enzo Maresca's men managing to win all five of their opening Premier League games.

The transfers that the Reds made in the summer seem to have made them stronger but, since the rumour mill is still turning despite the window not being open, changes are already being mooted, especially with how uncertain the futures of some Liverpool players are.

At the moment, nothing is set in stone but, thanks to the form of one player, it feels like he's managed to confirm what Iraola needs to do about his future.

Virgil van Dijk's form this season has already proven why Liverpool need to extend his contract

Virgil van Dijk is 35 years old now.

The towering Dutchman has been at the centre of Liverpool's defence for as long as anyone can remember with his £70 million transfer from Southampton now feeling like a bargain.

At the time, people were making fun of the Reds for the amount that they spent on him but, thanks to his performance levels and trophies he's won, it's clear that he's been worth every single penny.

Last season, he signed a two-year contract extension which means that in June 2027, his Liverpool deal will expire.

Teams such as AC Milan have already been linked with a move for the centre-back but, after his performances for the Anfield outfit this term, it's now clear that Iraola needs to get Fenway Sports Group to offer him a new deal.

The centre-back is starting to form an impeccable partnership with Jeremy Jacquet and, compared to when he was used alongside Ibrahima Konate last season, it feels like he's much more calm.

Indeed, the arrival of Ronald Araujo will have also helped shore up Liverpool's back line massively.

But, without Van Dijk, they'd definitely be doing much worse.

So, even though it's likely to cost Liverpool an arm and a leg to renew his deal, at the moment, he'd definitely be worth it.

Liverpool must get Virgil van Dijk locked down as soon as possible

At the moment, Van Dijk is reportedly on around £350,000-per-week.

This is obviously a lot of money but, with the impact that he has on Liverpool's team, he is definitely worth it.

And, now that Mohamed Salah's £400,000-per-week wage is gone, the Reds will have a bit more flexibility with their wage bill.

Indeed, Bradley Barcola and Araujo joining will have eaten a large chunk of that money but, if the Reds can get Van Dijk to agree to the same wage or less, they'd easily be able to make things work.

The fact that both Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have both been handed bumper new deals over the last month or so has also proven that FSG aren't scared of spending money if they believe it's worthwhile.

Of all the players who's contracts expire in June 2027, Van Dijk is arguably the most important.

Alisson's future is also up in the air but, once the Dutchman's future is locked down, that's when Liverpool should try and sign him onto a new deal as well.

Everything is still obviously up in the air at the moment but, for now, one of the first things on Iraola's to-do list should be to get Van Dijk to extend his stay and stay at Anfield.