Virgil van Dijk explains decision to sign new Liverpool contract

Virgil van Dijk has admitted he has fallen in love with everything about Liverpool, making the decision to sign a new contract a simple one.

After months of nervous speculation, Van Dijk finally put pen to paper on a new two-year contract on Thursday, following Mohamed Salah in committing his future to the club for the foreseeable future.

Despite rumours of a possible move to European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or Inter, Van Dijk has insisted he did hesitate at the prospect of extending his stay with Liverpool until 2027.

“It always felt right,” he told club media. “I said it from the first day on that it felt right and I think it showed in the years we have spent together up until now. And obviously more years to come.

“It is the place for me to be, to spend my best years, be successful with the club as we have been over the years and hopefully the future as well. And I love the city, I love the club, I love the fans. I love my teammates. I love everything that embodies Liverpool, and on to many more.”

While the family feeling around Liverpool contributed to his decision on a personal level, Van Dijk also admitted he felt remaining on Merseyside was the best thing for his wife and children.

“It is an emotional day, not only for myself but for my family as well,” he continued. “My kids are also almost like Scousers, they don’t know anything else than Liverpool, especially my two youngest.

“You live your life away from obviously where I’m from in Holland and you are living a very good life, a blessed life, but we live also that good life because of the people of Liverpool, the club, the fans. So it’s a togetherness that I really, really appreciate.

“It helps me and also is what embodies me as well, that I really love how the club is in general, what it stands for and these principles and values are really important to me and my family as well.”