Liverpool have a familiar issue on their hands, and this time it centres on Virgil van Dijk. The captain is into the final year of the extension he signed in April 2025, and there is still no fresh agreement in place. That matters, because once a player of his stature edges towards the end of a deal, the noise grows quickly.

Van Dijk confirmed after the 1-0 win at Bournemouth on 20 September that no approach had been made over a new contract. Internally, there appears to be no panic from the player’s side. Externally, that calm will not stop speculation, especially when Real Madrid are mentioned.

This is where reality cuts through sentiment. If Real Madrid show serious interest, it alters the discussion. Age, loyalty and status all become secondary to the fact that some clubs still carry a pull few others can match. For a 35-year-old defender approaching free agency, the idea of one last elite move is obvious.

That is why Emile Heskey’s view is straightforward and hard to dismiss. He said: “Virgil van Dijk, he is coming to the end of his contract at Liverpool, but we’ve got to remember that when certain clubs come calling they turn your head whether you’re under contract or not, and Real Madrid is one of them,” and added, “So I’d be surprised if his head’s not turned. The only thing is that Liverpool letting another big star go at the end of their contract doesn’t sit well with me.”

This is the real point. Liverpool can decide to renew him, sell him, or let the contract run down. What they cannot do is drift. When top players enter the final stretch of a deal, hesitation carries a cost. Even at 35, Van Dijk still has value, financially and competitively. Heskey made that clear when he said: “And it won’t [sit well] with the fans either because despite his age he still has value. That’s something that Van Dijk has to consider given his status at Liverpool.”

There was also a second point worth noting. Heskey sees Dominik Szoboszlai as leadership material and potentially Liverpool’s long-term captain. He said: “Dominik Szoboszlai is a future Liverpool captain.” He also argued that securing the midfielder should be a priority because leadership matters, and because players of that quality help shape how a squad is viewed by others.

Liverpool’s decision-makers have two separate contract questions here. One is about Van Dijk and whether they act before Real Madrid become a genuine endgame. The other is about building around Szoboszlai for the years ahead. Both require clarity, not delay.