Virgil van Dijk has been named in the PFA team of the year for 2024 and is the only Liverpool player to make the cut.
The Dutchman is amongst an array of Manchester City and Arsenal stars and joins Ollie Watkins as the only two players to have made it into the team from teams outside of last season’s top two.
PFA Team of the Year 2024: David Raya, Kyle Walker, Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice, Rodri, Martin Odegaard, Phil Foden, Ollie Watkins and Erling Haaland.
Van Dijk again was a talismanic figure at the heart of Liverpool’s defence in Jurgen Klopp’s final year at the helm. The value of the Dutchman’s leadership was shown in abundance when his glancing header in the dying embers of the Carabao Cup sent the travelling Kop into scenes of jubilation at Wembley as an injury stricken Liverpool side sunk Chelsea.
Last season the centre back made 36 Premier League appearances for the Reds scoring two goals as he guided Liverpool to a third place finish bringing Champions League football back to Anfield this season.
The defender joined Liverpool in 2018 for a then-world-record fee for a defender of £75 million and has now been inducted into his fourth PFA team of the year, highlighting what a colossal the Dutchman has been since his arrival on Merseyside. With one Carabao Cup already, Van Dijk will be hoping to captain Liverpool to more major honours this season after taking over from Jordan Henderson last summer.
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Liverpool can’t afford to see Virgil van Dijk leave on a free transfer
Liverpool’s captain has entered his final year on his current contract and an agreement to extend his stay at Anfield will be one of Richard Hughes and Co’s main priorities in the coming months, alongside deals for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohammed Salah.
Speaking after Liverpool’s final pre-season game against Sevilla, Virgil van Dijk confirmed “there is no change at the minute” in regards to being offered a new contract but did not rule out a potential extension in the near future.
PFA Awards 2024 – Manchester Opera House Premier League team of the year winners Declan Rice, Ollie Watkins, David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel, Phil Foden, Rodri, Martin Odegaard, Virgil van Dijk, Erling Haaland and Kyle Walker left to right with their trophies during the 2024 PFA Awards at the Opera House Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday August 20, 2024. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xPeterxByrnex 77194513
The Dutchman also confirmed that a lot of work is being done behind the scenes and is confident whatever happens, the club will do the right things to guide Liverpool to success.
“I am fully convinced and trust the club that they will do the right thing for us and get the best possible squad in order to compete in every competition that we are in,” van Dijk said.
