Virgil van Dijk is on the verge of setting a new Liverpool record after another demanding season at the center of the club’s defense. The Dutch defender, who will celebrate his 35th birthday in July, has remained constantly available throughout the campaign and continued to feature despite the team’s ongoing injury problems.
Virgil van Dijk is on the verge of setting a new Liverpool record after another demanding season at the center of the club’s defense. The Dutch defender, who will celebrate his 35th birthday in July, has remained constantly available throughout the campaign and continued to feature despite the team’s ongoing injury problems.
His physical condition has allowed him to avoid any fitness setbacks this term, with Liverpool benefiting from his consistency during a difficult year. Van Dijk’s reliability has become even more significant because of the club’s lack of defensive alternatives during key stretches of the season.
The defender made his 40th consecutive Liverpool appearance in the recent draw against Chelsea. That achievement placed him as the fourth-oldest player in club history to reach such a run and the oldest since Ian Callaghan completed 93 straight starts between September 1975 and March 1977.
Although Van Dijk’s durability has drawn praise, his constant use has also exposed wider concerns regarding Liverpool’s squad management. Injuries across the campaign, combined with the failure to secure Marc Guehi during the previous summer transfer window, left the club heavily dependent on their captain.
Liverpool also chose not to bring in reinforcements during the winter market, increasing the burden on Van Dijk as the schedule intensified. The situation has forced the Netherlands international to continue playing regularly ahead of a World Cup year in which he is expected to captain his national side.
While the defender’s commitment and preparation have allowed him to maintain his place in the lineup, the absence of rotation has added further strain during an already difficult campaign.
Van Dijk’s landmark appearances underline both his importance and the limited opportunities he has received to recover during the season. Liverpool’s inability to rest one of their key players has become a major theme as the campaign progresses.
Even so, Van Dijk continues to stand as one of the few constants in Liverpool’s squad, with his availability remaining crucial while the club battles through an injury-hit year.
