Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to hold second meeting with new boss to decide future amid Anfield contract uncertainty

Following a disappointing World Cup campaign that ended in the round of 32, the Dutch FA has overseen a major managerial shift. Ronald Koeman has departed his post, paving the way for former Barcelona head coach Xavi to take the reins of the national team.

This changing of the guard has cast doubt over Van Dijk’s ongoing role for his country. To establish clarity, the 96-cap defender has initiated discussions with Xavi regarding his place in the setup.

The Athletic indicate that a formal sit-down is scheduled for the coming weeks. The pair already made initial contact in midweek when Liverpool faced Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Despite turning 35, the Liverpool stalwart remains confident in his ability to compete at the highest level of international football. He harbours clear ambitions of guiding the Netherlands to the next European Championship.

"I feel that I can still be valuable and important to the team," Van Dijk stated when addressing his international prospects.

The centre-back is entirely prepared for the reality that the new manager might want to take the squad in a different direction. However, he hopes his vision aligns with Xavi's immediate plans.

"If we see eye to eye on that, we have two good years ahead of us leading up to Euro 2028," he added. "And if not, then we’ll see."

Van Dijk's quest for clarity is not limited to the international stage. The veteran defender has entered the final 12 months of his current deal with Liverpool, creating an underlying sense of ambiguity surrounding his club future.

Reports suggest that Anfield executives are in no rush to finalise an extension. It is believed that formal negotiations over a renewed contract will be postponed until next year, forcing the captain to focus strictly on his on-pitch performances.

This dual uncertainty comes during a tricky transition period for the Reds under manager Andoni Iraola. The Premier League giants have stumbled out of the blocks this term, drawing three of their first four matches following a frustrating weekend stalemate against Fulham.

Before heading off for international duty, Van Dijk must help steer Iraola’s stuttering Liverpool side through a domestic double-header. The Reds host Tottenham in Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash, followed by a crucial league encounter on Sunday against Bournemouth, Iraola’s former employers.

Once club commitments pause, the Netherlands face a gruelling four-game international window. Xavi's tenure begins with a high-profile Nations League opener against Germany, before the Dutch navigate a double-header against Serbia and a final fixture against Greece.