Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk was born in Breda to a Dutch father, Ron van Dijk, and a Surinamese mother, Hellen Chin Fo Sieeuw,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-wife-interview-ntxz0kchd|title=Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool, Klopp — and owing it all to his wife|first=Polly|last=Vernon|date=3 April 2024|website=www.thetimes.com}} who is Afro-Surinamese and part of Chinese descent. The Chinese surname Chin Fo Sieeuw derives from the given name of his maternal great-grandfather, Chin Fo Sieeuw ({{Lang|zh-Hant|陳火秀}}), who emigrated from Guangdong to Suriname around 1920.{{cite web |date=13 June 2019 |title=Virgil van Dijk is eligible to play for this Asia country!- Asia United |url=https://asiaunitedfc.com/virgil-van-dijk-is-eligible-to-play-for-this-asia-country/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106150706/https://asiaunitedfc.com/virgil-van-dijk-is-eligible-to-play-for-this-asia-country/ |archive-date=6 November 2019 |access-date=26 October 2020 |publisher=asiaunitedfc.com}} He has a younger brother and sister, who are two and ten years younger than him respectively.{{Cite web |date=31 December 2017 |title=Virgil van Dijk in 2011: FC Barcelona is het uiteindelijke doel - Sport - DVHN.nl |url=https://dvhn.nl/sport/Virgil-van-Dijk-in-2011-FC-Barcelona-is-het-uiteindelijke-doel-22778144.html |access-date=2023-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231201039/https://dvhn.nl/sport/Virgil-van-Dijk-in-2011-FC-Barcelona-is-het-uiteindelijke-doel-22778144.html |archive-date=31 December 2017 }}{{Cite web |first=Joe |last=Coleman |date=2019-03-19 |title=The personal heartache driving Liverpool's £75million man to Premier League title |url=https://talksport.com/football/513421/liverpool-virgil-van-dijk-dad-name-shirt-family-feud/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-US |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043007/https://talksport.com/football/513421/liverpool-virgil-van-dijk-dad-name-shirt-family-feud/ |url-status=live }}

Van Dijk grew up in Kesteren, in the Haagse Beemden district of Breda.{{Cite news |first1=Simon |last1=Hughes |first2=James |last2=Pearce |title=Liverpool's title winners – by the coaches who discovered them |work=The New York Times |url=https://theathletic.com/1921055/2020/07/22/liverpool-title-premier-league-salah-mane-henderson-firmino-van-ijk-alisson-trent-robertson-wijnaldum-milner-lallana-shaqiri-lovren-matip-oxlade/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043006/https://theathletic.com/1921055/2020/07/22/liverpool-title-premier-league-salah-mane-henderson-firmino-van-ijk-alisson-trent-robertson-wijnaldum-milner-lallana-shaqiri-lovren-matip-oxlade/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Wallace |first=Sam |date=2019-04-25 |title=The making of Virgil van Dijk: How Holland allowed the 'tall dude' from Breda to slip through the net |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/25/making-virgil-van-dijk-holland-allowed-tall-dude-breda-slip/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135608/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/25/making-virgil-van-dijk-holland-allowed-tall-dude-breda-slip/ |url-status=live }} His father left the family when he was 11 years old. Van Dijk first lived with his father for a while before making the choice to go back to live with his mother, after which his father broke off contact.{{Cite web |title=2 people who influenced Virgil van Dijk |url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/liverpoolfc-2020-03-06-2-people-who-influenced-virgil-van-dijk/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Tribuna.com |date=24 April 2019 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135611/https://tribuna.com/en/news/liverpoolfc-2020-03-06-2-people-who-influenced-virgil-van-dijk/ |url-status=live }}

Growing up he played football wherever he could – on the streets, in concrete cages, and eventually Saturday morning matches.{{cite news|title=Virgil van Dijk exclusive: "I'm not going to lie, I was pretty scared – I could have died" his|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/virgil-van-dijk-exclusive-im-not-going-lie-i-was-pretty-scared-i-could-have-died#TWOCEsmY6Jcvxwi7.99|access-date=5 November 2019|website=FourFourTwo|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231004344/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/virgil-van-dijk-exclusive-im-not-going-lie-i-was-pretty-scared-i-could-have-died#TWOCEsmY6Jcvxwi7.99|url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=Virgil van Dijk: Birthplace of Dreams {{!}} Nike| date=December 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8d_VA6eE2M|access-date=5 December 2019|via=YouTUbe|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205062913/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8d_VA6eE2M|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nike.com/il/football/virgil-van-dijk-birthplace-of-dreams|title=Virgil van Dijk|publisher=Nike|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202050616/https://www.nike.com/il/football/virgil-van-dijk-birthplace-of-dreams|url-status=dead}} He started playing football in the youth team at WDS'19 before joining Willem II at the age of 8.{{Cite web |author1=Arthur Renard |date=2019-03-01 |title=The making of Virgil van Dijk: how Liverpool's rock became the world's best defender |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/making-virgil-van-dijk-how-liverpools-rock-became-worlds-best-defender |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=fourfourtwo.com |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135607/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/making-virgil-van-dijk-how-liverpools-rock-became-worlds-best-defender |url-status=live }} He combined his time playing at the Willem II academy with a part-time job as a dishwasher as a teenager.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47283936|title=Virgil van Dijk wants to be 'a legend of Liverpool' - in-depth wide-ranging BBC interview|date=21 February 2019|website=BBC Sport|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510083226/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47283936|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://africa.espn.com/football/club/liverpool/364/blog/post/3824468/virgil-van-dijk-is-the-best-player-in-the-premier-league-how-the-dutch-defender-became-liverpools-leader|title=Virgil van Dijk is the best player in the Premier League: how the Dutch defender became Liverpool's leader|publisher=ESPN|last=Kuper|first=Simon|date=16 April 2019|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416160507/http://africa.espn.com/football/club/liverpool/364/blog/post/3824468/virgil-van-dijk-is-the-best-player-in-the-premier-league-how-the-dutch-defender-became-liverpools-leader|url-status=live}} He said: "I didn't have a contract at that time. I wasn't thinking I had no future in the game, but I also knew I had to work, to try to make money."{{Cite web |date=2018-05-25 |title=Virgil van Dijk: From working as a dish washer to the Champions League » |url=https://9sportpro.com/36466/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921182754/https://9sportpro.com/36466/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 September 2023 |access-date=2023-04-21 |language=en-US }}

Having previously and unsuccessfully featured as a right-back, Van Dijk was shifted into a central defensive position in 2008, aged 17, after he grew in height by around 18 centimetres. Despite the positional shift and Van Dijk's physical growth, Willem II's reserve manager at the time Edwin Hermans believed he had "too many limitations" which prevented him from breaking into the first team. The club therefore did not want to offer him a contract.{{Cite web |title=The making of Virgil van Dijk: From washing dishes for €4-an-hour to most expensive defender in world |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/liverpool/the-making-of-virgil-van-dijk-from-washing-dishes-for-4-an-hour-to-most-expensive-defender-in-world-38052019.html |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=independent |date=26 April 2019 |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135607/https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/liverpool/the-making-of-virgil-van-dijk-from-washing-dishes-for-4-an-hour-to-most-expensive-defender-in-world-38052019.html |url-status=live }} He left for Groningen at the age of 19 in 2010, on a free transfer, after being scouted by former Dutch international Martin Koeman, who was working for Groningen at the time.

File:Virgilvandijk.jpg in 2011]]

Van Dijk initially struggled to break into Groningen's first team with club staff believing he was "overtired" after extensive playing time with Willem II's academy and reserve sides. He made his professional debut for the club on 1 May 2011, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Petter Andersson during a 4–2 victory against ADO Den Haag.{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2011/05/01/netherlands/eredivisie/hfc-ado-den-haag/stichting-fc-groningen/941703/ |title=ADO Den Haag VS. Groningen 2–4 |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform group |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621173844/https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2011/05/01/netherlands/eredivisie/hfc-ado-den-haag/stichting-fc-groningen/941703/ |url-status=live }} On 29 May, and against the same opposition, he made his first start for Groningen and scored his first professional goals, netting twice in a 5–1 win in a UEFA Europa League play-off match.

During the 2011–12 Eredivisie season, Van Dijk made 23 league appearances for the Eredivisie team, and scored his first regular-season goal during the club's 6–0 victory over Feyenoord on 30 October 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbox.com/blog/virgil-van-dijk-premier-league/ |title=Virgil van Dijk One of the Finest Centre-Backs in the Premier League |website=Soccer Box |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801102406/http://www.soccerbox.com/blog/virgil-van-dijk-premier-league/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbaluitslagen/152437/eredivisie-fc-groningen-feyenoord/ |title=Wedstrijd: FC Groningen – Feyenoord |website=FCUpdate.nl |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-date=6 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406042441/https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbaluitslagen/152437/eredivisie-fc-groningen-feyenoord/ |url-status=live }} He suffered a personal setback during the campaign, however, as soon after his 20th birthday he was admitted to hospital with advanced appendicitis, peritonitis and kidney poisoning.{{Cite web |date=2012-07-10 |title=Virgil van Dijk voor de dood weggehaald |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/sport/111630/virgil-van-dijk-voor-de-dood-weggehaald |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.rtvnoord.nl |language=nl |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135610/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/sport/111630/virgil-van-dijk-voor-de-dood-weggehaald |url-status=live }} The ailments were previously not recognized by the medical staff of FC Groningen and the local hospital. Van Dijk underwent an urgent lifesaving operation, after which he spent 13 days in hospital, lost nearly two and a half stones (35 pounds), and could not walk for 10 days.{{Cite news |last1=McRae |first1=Donald |last2=@donaldgmcrae |date=2019-05-24 |title=Virgil van Dijk: 'I'm never nervous. If you're nervous, you limit your quality' |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/24/virgil-van-dijk-interview-liverpool-champions-league-final |access-date=2023-04-21 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043006/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/24/virgil-van-dijk-interview-liverpool-champions-league-final |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2019-02-21 |title=Van Dijk wants to be 'a legend of Liverpool' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47283936 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205152652/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47283936 |url-status=live }} As he had been close to dying as a result of the medical emergency, the hospital had even gone so far as to ask him to sign a "sort of will" in the event of his passing.{{Cite web |last=Pinder |first=Reuben |date=2018-12-05 |title=Virgil Van Dijk recalls the horror of life-saving operation in 2012 |url=https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/virgil-van-dijk-groningen-almost-died-211056 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=JOE.co.uk |language=en-US |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135609/https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/virgil-van-dijk-groningen-almost-died-211056 |url-status=live }}

It took Van Dijk a few months to fully recover. In the summer of 2012 he returned and joined the selection again.{{Cite web |title=Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk says he 'looked death in the eye' in life-threatening appendix surgery {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/i-looked-death-in-the-eye---van-dijk-recalls-life-threatening-appendix-surgery/1j9m432plwjdq1judxj0a30ii4 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.goal.com |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135607/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/i-looked-death-in-the-eye---van-dijk-recalls-life-threatening-appendix-surgery/1j9m432plwjdq1judxj0a30ii4 |url-status=live }} Despite the fact that the club had a changeable season, Van Dijk, who played in the center of defense together with veteran Kees Kwakman, excelled.{{Cite web |last=Lusby |first=Jack |date=2018-11-16 |title=Van Dijk's road from underestimated to Liverpool 'leader' |url=https://www.thisisanfield.com/2018/11/how-virgil-van-dijk-went-from-underestimated-at-groningen-to-leader-at-liverpool/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=This Is Anfield |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135608/https://www.thisisanfield.com/2018/11/how-virgil-van-dijk-went-from-underestimated-at-groningen-to-leader-at-liverpool/ |url-status=live }}

In the summer of 2013, Van Dijk was a candidate to strengthen PSV's defense, but the club ultimately opted for Jeffrey Bruma as the new central defender.{{Cite web |title=From Groningen to Merseyside: How Van Dijk overcame illness to become the best {{!}} All Football |url=https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/EPL/From-Groningen-to-Merseyside-How-Van-Dijk-overcame-illness-to-become-the-best/1217218 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=m.allfootballapp.com |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135610/https://m.allfootballapp.com/amp/news/EPL/From-Groningen-to-Merseyside-How-Van-Dijk-overcame-illness-to-become-the-best/1217218 |url-status=live }} A transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion FC or FK Krasnodar, both of which wanted to meet the asking price of FC Groningen director Hans Nijland, were rejected by Van Dijk himself.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-15 |title=How a defender became the best player in the Premier League |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/liverpool/364/blog/post/3824468/virgil-van-dijk-is-the-best-player-in-the-premier-league-how-the-dutch-defender-became-liverpools-leader |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043005/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/liverpool/364/blog/post/3824468/virgil-van-dijk-is-the-best-player-in-the-premier-league-how-the-dutch-defender-became-liverpools-leader |url-status=live }} Van Dijk, who actually preferred a transfer to a Dutch top club, contacted Marc Overmars himself via director Nijland and his agent to discuss a possible transfer to AFC Ajax.{{Cite web |last1=Mullock |first1=Simon |last2=Updated |date=2019-03-23 |title=Van Dijk reveals moment career almost derail before realising Liverpool destiny |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/virgil-van-dijk-reveals-journey-14176954 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=mirror |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135608/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/virgil-van-dijk-reveals-journey-14176954 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Virgil van Dijk: The Dominant Dutchman Who Took the Long Road to the Top |url=http://www.lfconline.co.uk/news/tmnw/virgil_van_dijk_the_dominant_dutchman_who_took_the_long_road_to_the_top_950109/index.shtml |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=LFC Online |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425132031/https://www.lfconline.co.uk/news/tmnw/virgil_van_dijk_the_dominant_dutchman_who_took_the_long_road_to_the_top_950109/index.shtml |url-status=live }} However, the club, which was on the market for a new central defender at the time, decided not to accept Van Dijk's advances and eventually signed Mike van der Hoorn from FC Utrecht.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-28 |title=At the time Ajax chose Mike van der Hoorn instead of Virgil van Dijk's Virgil. |url=https://www.sportsoftheday.com/at-the-time-ajax-chose-mike-van-der-hoorn-instead-of-virgil-van-dijks-virgil/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Sports of the Day |language=en-US |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135610/https://www.sportsoftheday.com/at-the-time-ajax-chose-mike-van-der-hoorn-instead-of-virgil-van-dijks-virgil/ |url-status=live }}

On 21 June 2013, Van Dijk signed with Celtic for a fee of around £2.6 million, on a four-year deal including a 10% selling-on fee for Groningen.{{cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk: Dutch defender joins Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23004736 |website=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2013 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=20 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520161651/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23004736 |url-status=live }} He made his debut on 17 August, replacing Efe Ambrose for the final 13 minutes of a 2–0 Scottish Premiership win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium.{{cite news |first=Keir |last=Murray |title=Aberdeen 0–2 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23644812 |website=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2013 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004041827/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23644812 |url-status=live }} A week later, he made his first start, in a 2–2 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Celtic Park.{{cite news |title=Celtic 2–2 Inverness CT |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23737036 |website=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2013 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526080002/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23737036 |url-status=live }} On 9 November, Van Dijk scored his first Celtic goals, heading one in each half of a 4–1 win against Ross County.{{cite news |first=Martin |last=Conaghan |title=Ross County 1–4 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24783003 |website=BBC Sport |date=9 November 2013 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505125011/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24783003 |url-status=live }} After a solo run, he scored the only goal of a victory over St Johnstone on 26 December.{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Campbell |title=St Johnstone 0–1 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25442036 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2013 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501155248/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25442036 |url-status=live }}

Van Dijk scored again on 26 January 2014, in a 4–0 win versus Hibernian for Celtic's 11th consecutive league win.{{cite news |first=Keir |last=Murray |title=Hibernian 0–4 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25798579 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2014 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=20 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520161741/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25798579 |url-status=live }} On 25 February, he was sent off after 13 minutes of an eventual 2–1 loss at Aberdeen, for a professional foul on Peter Pawlett; it was Celtic's first defeat of the season.{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Southwick |title=Aberdeen 2–1 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25892139 |website=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2014 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526080133/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25892139 |url-status=live }} With Celtic having already won the league, Van Dijk netted again on 7 May to put his team 3–1 up away to St Johnstone, in an eventual 3–3 draw.{{cite news |first=Cheri |last=Burns |title=St Johnstone 3–3 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27216459 |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405225906/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27216459 |url-status=live }} He was one of three Celtic players named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.{{cite news |title=Celtic and Dundee United trios in SPFL Premiership team of year |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27080030 |website=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2014 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=30 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330012704/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27080030 |url-status=live }} Van Dijk was nominated for the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year award,{{cite web | url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/pfa-player-of-year-nominees/ | title=PFA Player of the Year nominees | publisher=Scottish Professional Football League | date=16 April 2014 | access-date=12 May 2019 | archive-date=14 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414080556/http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/pfa-player-of-year-nominees/ | url-status=dead }} but lost out to fellow Celtic player Kris Commons.{{cite web | url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/pfa-scotland-award-winners/ | title=PFA Scotland award winners | publisher=Scottish Professional Football League | date=27 April 2014 | access-date=12 May 2019 | archive-date=13 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413234857/http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/pfa-scotland-award-winners/ | url-status=dead }}

File:Virgil van Dijk 2015.jpg in 2015]]

On 22 July 2014, Van Dijk and Teemu Pukki each scored twice in a 4–0 home win over KR in a UEFA Champions League qualifier, putting their team into the next round 5–0 on aggregate.{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Burrows |title=Celtic 4–0 KR Reykjavik: Hoops ease into next Champions League round in comfortable fashion |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/celtic-4-0-kr-reykjavik-hoops-3897700 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=22 July 2014 |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501163541/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/celtic-4-0-kr-reykjavik-hoops-3897700 |url-status=live }} His first goal of the Premiership season came on 9 November, finishing from Stefan Johansen's last-minute corner for a 2–1 win at Aberdeen.{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Moffat |title=Aberdeen 1–2 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29868766 |website=BBC Sport |date=9 November 2014 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504073608/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29868766 |url-status=live }} Three weeks later, Van Dijk scored the first and last goals of Celtic's 4–0 win versus Heart of Midlothian in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Southwick |title=Heart of Midlothian 0–4 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30166217 |website=BBC Sport |date=30 November 2014 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419035634/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30166217 |url-status=live }} Four days after that, his sixth goal of the season was enough for victory in a home match against Glasgow neighbours Partick Thistle.{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Wilson |title=Celtic 1–0 Partick Thistle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28647040 |website=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2014 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504073556/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28647040 |url-status=live }}

Van Dijk was again on target on 21 January 2015, opening a 4–0 home win over Motherwell.{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Moffat |title=Celtic 4–0 Motherwell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30808448 |website=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505125030/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30808448 |url-status=live }} On 26 February, he was sent off in the 36th minute against Inter Milan for a foul on Mauro Icardi, as Celtic lost 1–0 on the night, 4–3 on aggregate in the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League.{{cite news |first=Craig |last=Swan |title=Inter 1 Celtic 0 (4–3 agg): Late strike finishes off battling ten-man Celtic and ends their Europa League run |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/inter-1-celtic-0-4-3-5239236 |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=26 February 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501172739/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/inter-1-celtic-0-4-3-5239236 |url-status=live }} He was again sent off on 8 March in the Cup quarter-final away to Dundee United at Tannadice Park, receiving a red card after eleven minutes for a confrontation with Calum Butcher.{{cite news |first=Keir |last=Murray |title=Dundee United 1–1 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31680308 |website=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504073650/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31680308 |url-status=live }} His suspension for the following week's Scottish League Cup final was overturned on appeal, as was that of Paul Paton, who was sent off when mistaken for Butcher.{{cite news |title=Van Dijk and Paton cleared to play in League Cup final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31858622 |website=BBC Sport |date=12 March 2015 |access-date=18 October 2015 |archive-date=3 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003014853/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31858622 |url-status=live }} Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes of the final at Hampden Park, which Celtic won 2–0.{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Wilson |title=Dundee United 0–2 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31785677 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 March 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329081804/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31785677 |url-status=live }} On 18 March, Celtic's third consecutive match against Dundee United, Van Dijk scored in the last minute to confirm a 4–0 win in a Cup replay.{{cite news |title=Celtic 4–0 Dundee United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31826157 |website=BBC Sport |date=18 March 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504073711/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31826157 |url-status=live }}

On 19 April, Celtic contested the Cup semi-final against Inverness at Hampden, and Van Dijk opened the scoring with a free kick. After the dismissal of goalkeeper Craig Gordon, Celtic fell 3–2, ending their chance of a treble.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=Lindsay |title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3–2 Celtic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32089585 |website=BBC Sport |date=19 April 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422101506/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32089585 |url-status=live }} Three days later, again from a free kick, he confirmed a 2–1 win away to Dundee.{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Southwick |title=Celtic 1–2 Dundee |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31827990 |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422101523/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31827990 |url-status=live }} His team again won the league, and Van Dijk was included in the league's Team of the Season for the second consecutive campaign.{{cite news |first=Gregor |last=Kyle |title=The SPFL dream team: PFA Scotland announce their teams of the year |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/spfl-dream-team-pfa-scotland-5616035 |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=1 May 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422235939/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/spfl-dream-team-pfa-scotland-5616035 |url-status=live }} He was again shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Players' Player award,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32435212 | title=Celtic's Van Dijk & Johansen join Rooney & Stewart in award mix | website=BBC Sport | date=23 April 2015 | access-date=12 May 2019 | archive-date=6 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406155606/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32435212 | url-status=live }} but lost out to another teammate, this time Stefan Johansen.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32578058 | title=Stefan Johansen: Celtic midfielder named Scottish PFA player of the year | website=BBC Sport | date=3 May 2015 | access-date=12 May 2019 | archive-date=1 October 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001012104/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32578058 | url-status=live }}

Van Dijk was reportedly "considering his future" in Glasgow after Celtic were knocked out of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League in the qualifying rounds to Malmö of Sweden.{{cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk: Celtic defender considers future after defeat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34060123 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526080601/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34060123 |url-status=live }}

On 1 September 2015, the last day of the transfer window, Van Dijk signed a five-year contract with Premier League club Southampton, managed by Ronald Koeman, for a reported £13 million transfer fee.{{cite web |title=Saints complete deadline-day deal for van Dijk |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2015-09-01/saints-complete-deadline-day-deal-for-van-dijk |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501141935/https://southamptonfc.com/news/2015-09-01/saints-complete-deadline-day-deal-for-van-dijk |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk: Southampton sign Celtic defender for £13m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34115519 |website=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=6 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406010821/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34115519 |url-status=live }} Fellow Premier League clubs Sunderland, Newcastle and Arsenal were also reportedly interested in the last hours of the transfer window.{{Cite web |title=Virgil van Dijk, la rage au ventre |url=https://www.sofoot.com/articles/virgil-van-dijk-la-rage-au-ventre-premier-league-j16-crystal-palace-southampton |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=SOFOOT.com |date=12 December 2015 |language=fr |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043007/https://www.sofoot.com/articles/virgil-van-dijk-la-rage-au-ventre-premier-league-j16-crystal-palace-southampton |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Arsenal Reportedly Rejected Chance to Sign Virgil van Dijk for £12M |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2797094-arsenal-reportedly-rejected-chance-to-sign-virgil-van-dijk-for-12-million |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135609/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2797094-arsenal-reportedly-rejected-chance-to-sign-virgil-van-dijk-for-12-million |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Waugh |first=Chris |date=2015-05-12 |title=Newcastle Transfer News: Virgil Van Dijk Would "Definitely Consider" Move From Celtic |url=https://whatculture.com/sport/newcastle-transfer-news-virgil-van-dijk-would-definitely-consider-move-from-celtic |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135608/https://whatculture.com/sport/newcastle-transfer-news-virgil-van-dijk-would-definitely-consider-move-from-celtic |url-status=live }} The transfer made him the most expensive Dutch defender since Jaap Stam, who went from Manchester United to Lazio in 2001 for more than €25 million.{{Cite web |last=Redmond |first=Robert |date=2018-08-13 |title=Gary Neville compares Virgil van Dijk to legendary Manchester United defender |url=https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/gary-neville-van-dijk-194677 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=JOE.co.uk |language=en-US |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135610/https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/gary-neville-van-dijk-194677 |url-status=live }}

He made his debut for Southampton on 12 September in a 0–0 draw against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. Two weeks later, Van Dijk marked his third Premier League appearance with his first goal for the club, which came in the form of a header in the 11th minute to put Southampton in front, following a set-piece from James Ward-Prowse in a 3–1 home win over Swansea City.{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Southampton 3–1 Swansea City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34299542 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526080606/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34299542 |url-status=live }} He was named player of the year by both his teammates and Southampton fans for his first season.{{Cite web |title=Van Dijk the big winner at Saints' Player Awards |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2016-05-11/van-dijk-the-big-winner-at-saints-player-awards |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Southampton FC |language=en |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114224502/https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-05-11/van-dijk-the-big-winner-at-saints-player-awards |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Virgil van Dijk's journey from FC Groningen to Premier League star |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11700/10623756/virgil-van-dijks-journey-from-fc-groningen-to-premier-league-star |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Sky Sports |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135608/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11700/10623756/virgil-van-dijks-journey-from-fc-groningen-to-premier-league-star |url-status=live }} On 7 May 2016, Van Dijk signed a new six-year contract with the Saints.{{cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk: Dutch defender signs new six-year deal at Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36236667 |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2016 |access-date=8 May 2016 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510081654/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36236667 |url-status=live }}

On 22 January 2017, he was named captain of Southampton, after the departure of José Fonte.{{cite web |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-01-22/claude-puel-captains-southampton-virgil-van-dijk-steven-davis |title=Puel confirms Saints' new captains |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=22 January 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501165035/https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-01-22/claude-puel-captains-southampton-virgil-van-dijk-steven-davis |url-status=live }} On the same day, he suffered an ankle injury against Leicester City.{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Charles |title=Southampton's Virgil van Dijk out for at least two months with ankle injury |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11700/10753362/southamptons-virgil-van-dijk-out-for-at-least-two-months-with-ankle-injury |website=Sky Sports |date=2 February 2017 |access-date=28 December 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501222428/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11700/10753362/southamptons-virgil-van-dijk-out-for-at-least-two-months-with-ankle-injury |url-status=live }} This ruled him out of the 2017 EFL Cup final, which Southampton lost to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Manchester United 3–2 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39018813 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043047/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39018813 |url-status=live }}

After a successful 2016–17 season at Southampton, Van Dijk was subject to interest from top English clubs with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool reportedly interested. Liverpool apologised to Southampton for an illegal approach for the player after he had reportedly made clear his interest in a move to Merseyside.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40194862 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool apologise & end interest in Southampton defender |website=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=20 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520162307/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40194862 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40164572 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Southampton defender keen on Liverpool move |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=5 June 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=17 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617221536/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40164572 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40170351 |title=Virgin van Dijk: Southampton to report Liverpool over approach |website=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=20 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520162304/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40170351 |url-status=live }} On 7 August 2017, Van Dijk handed in a transfer request to Southampton and released a statement along with it, emphasising his wish to join a different club in the transfer window.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40855579 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Southampton defender hands in transfer request |website=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=20 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520162315/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40855579 |url-status=live }}

Van Dijk remained with Southampton for the start of the 2017–18 season and made his first appearance since being injured in January, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 victory at Crystal Palace on 26 September.{{cite news |first=Luke |last=Reddy |title=Crystal Palace 1–0 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41210053 |website=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2017 |access-date=25 September 2017 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510081836/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41210053 |url-status=live }} He made what turned out to be his final appearance for Southampton on 13 December 2017, in a 4–1 home defeat to Leicester.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42247116 |title=Southampton 1–4 Leicester City |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=13 December 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526081058/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42247116 |url-status=live }} It was also his last appearance in any of Southampton's matchday squads, as he was omitted from the squad for the rest of his tenure at the club in light of speculation surrounding his future.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/virgil-van-dijk-transfer-news-manchester-city-liverpool-left-out-of-squad-60m-latest-updates-a8128666.html |title=Virgil van Dijk left out of Southampton squad as Mauricio Pellegrino refuses to draw on Manchester City interest |first=Jack |last=De Menezes |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=26 December 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501165709/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/virgil-van-dijk-transfer-news-manchester-city-liverpool-left-out-of-squad-60m-latest-updates-a8128666.html |url-status=live }}File:Команда ФК «Ліверпуль» прибула до Києва, 2018, 5 (cropped).jpg in 2018]]

On 27 December 2017, it was announced that Van Dijk would join Liverpool when the winter transfer window opened on 1 January 2018{{cite web |title=Liverpool agree deal to sign Virgil van Dijk |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/285500-liverpool-agree-deal-to-sign-virgil-van-dijk |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=27 December 2017 |access-date=28 December 2017 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904140410/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/285500-liverpool-agree-deal-to-sign-virgil-van-dijk |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-12-27/virgil-van-dijk-southampton-liverpool-transfer-agreement-announcement |title=Van Dijk deal agreed |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=27 December 2017 |access-date=28 December 2017 |archive-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228152847/https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-12-27/virgil-van-dijk-southampton-liverpool-transfer-agreement-announcement |url-status=dead }} for a reported fee of £75 million.{{cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool to sign Southampton defender for world record £75m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42496637 |website=BBC Sport |date=27 December 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514142556/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42496637 |url-status=live }} Former club Celtic would receive 10% of Van Dijk's transfer fee, due to a sell-on clause placed in his Southampton contract.{{Cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/10906958/virgil-van-dijk-transfer-would-land-celtic-bumper-windfall |title=Virgil van Dijk transfer would land Celtic bumper windfall |first=Peter |last=Gilbert |website=Sky Sports |date=8 June 2017 |access-date=28 December 2017 |archive-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228000138/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/10906958/virgil-van-dijk-transfer-would-land-celtic-bumper-windfall |url-status=live }} Southampton claimed the undisclosed transfer fee would constitute a world record fee in football for a defender.

Van Dijk made his debut for Liverpool on 5 January in the third round of the FA Cup and scored the winning goal with a late header in a 2–1 victory against local rivals Everton.{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Liverpool 2–1 Everton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42508636 |website=BBC Sport |date=5 January 2018 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531030951/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42508636 |url-status=live }} In doing so, he became the first player since Bill White in 1901 to score on his debut in the Merseyside derby.{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-virgil-van-dijk-keeps-14120970 |title=How Virgil van Dijk keeps on creating Liverpool history – and the remarkable numbers behind derby triumph |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |last=Doyle |first=Ian |date=6 January 2018 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629183050/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-virgil-van-dijk-keeps-14120970 |url-status=live }} Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren built a strong partnership at the heart of Liverpool's defence, with the Dutchman being credited for improving Liverpool's previous defensive issues.{{Cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-champions-final-vandijk/van-dijk-has-made-me-a-better-player-says-liverpools-lovren-idUKKCN1IN301 |title=Van Dijk has made me a better player, says Liverpool's Lovren |last=Robinson |first=Neil |work=Reuters |date=22 May 2018 |access-date=29 June 2018 |archive-date=2 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002043351/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-champions-final-vandijk/van-dijk-has-made-me-a-better-player-says-liverpools-lovren-idUKKCN1IN301 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/09/virgil-van-dijk-brings-calm-and-confidence-to-liverpool |title=Virgil van Dijk brings calm and collective spirit to Liverpool's defence |last=Hunter |first=Andy |date=9 April 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=29 June 2018 |archive-date=16 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216094532/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/09/virgil-van-dijk-brings-calm-and-confidence-to-liverpool |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/how-virgil-van-dijk-redefined-12213864 |title=How dominant Virgil van Dijk has redefined Liverpool's defence |last=Maddock |first=David |date=19 March 2018 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=29 June 2018 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155514/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/how-virgil-van-dijk-redefined-12213864 |url-status=live }} Van Dijk was included in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, despite playing just half of the season in the Champions League, with the UEFA Technical Observers saying: "Van Dijk arrived at Anfield and provided composure and stability in the competition's knockout stages." Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid, which Liverpool lost 3–1.{{Cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2021711--real-madrid-vs-liverpool/ |title=UEFA Champions League – Real Madrid-Liverpool |publisher=UEFA |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503042743/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2018/matches/round=2000885/match=2021711/index.html |url-status=live }} Van Dijk played 22 games in all competitions in his first season with the club, scoring once.

File:Virgil van Dijk 2019.jpg in 2019]]

Van Dijk received the Liverpool Player of the Month award for his performances in August.{{Cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/316051-virgil-van-dijk-standard-chartered-player-of-the-month |title=Virgil van Dijk named Standard Chartered Player of the Month |date=12 September 2018 |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116024248/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/316051-virgil-van-dijk-standard-chartered-player-of-the-month |url-status=live }} On 2 December, Van Dijk was awarded an assist for the winning goal in a derby match against city rivals Everton. Liverpool won 1–0 thanks to Divock Origi's 96th-minute goal, set up by a Van Dijk volley and a subsequent error from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3716494/liverpools-virgil-van-dijk-gets-assist-vs-everton-despite-ball-hitting-crossbar-twice |title=Van Dijk gets 'assist' despite ball hitting crossbar TWICE |date=3 December 2018 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327135644/http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3716494/liverpools-virgil-van-dijk-gets-assist-vs-everton-despite-ball-hitting-crossbar-twice |url-status=live }} The Dutchman was ultimately awarded the PFA Player of the Month for November 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/327733-virgil-van-dijk-pfa-player-of-the-month |title=Van Dijk wins PFA Player of the Month award |author=Carroll, James |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=3 December 2018 |access-date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510071043/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/327733-virgil-van-dijk-pfa-player-of-the-month |url-status=live }} On 21 December, Van Dijk scored his first goal in the Premier League for Liverpool in a 2–0 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/21/wolves-liverpool-premier-league-match-report |title=Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk put Wolves in their place |last=James |first=Stuart |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510071049/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/21/wolves-liverpool-premier-league-match-report |url-status=live }} The Dutchman continued his impressive form in the 2018–19 season by winning the Premier League Player of the Month prize for December 2018.{{cite web |last1=Matchett |first1=Karl |title=Liverpool scoop double Manager and Player of the Month awards for December |url=https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/01/liverpool-scoop-double-manager-and-player-of-the-month-awards-for-impressive-december-form/ |website=thisisanfield.com |date=11 January 2019 |publisher=Soccer Publishing Limited |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510071029/https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/01/liverpool-scoop-double-manager-and-player-of-the-month-awards-for-impressive-december-form/ |url-status=live }}

On 27 February 2019, Van Dijk scored twice in a 5–0 win against Watford.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-watford/391033 |title=Liverpool 5-0 Watford |website=Sky Sports |access-date=28 February 2019 |archive-date=1 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301201439/https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-watford/391033 |url-status=live }} The following month, he scored once - his first goal in the Champions League for the club - and assisted another in a 3–1 win over Bayern Munich.{{cite news|url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2019/03/13/liverpools-van-dijk-matches-bellamy-vs-barcelona-stat/|title=Virgil van Dijk does something no Liverpool player has managed for 12 years|website=CaughtOffside|last=Brus|first=Mark|date=14 March 2019|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103143712/https://www.caughtoffside.com/2019/03/13/liverpools-van-dijk-matches-bellamy-vs-barcelona-stat/|url-status=live}} On 20 April, he was one of six players nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award alongside teammate Sadio Mané.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/20/pfa-player-yearvirgil-van-dijk-raheem-sterling-lead-way-six/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/20/pfa-player-yearvirgil-van-dijk-raheem-sterling-lead-way-six/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=PFA Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk and Raheem Sterling lead the way in six-man shortlist|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 April 2019|access-date=20 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} Four days later, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside Liverpool teammates, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mané and Andrew Robertson.{{cite news|url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2019/4/25/premier-league-team-of-the-year|title=PFA Premier League Team of the Year|publisher=The Player's Football Association|date=25 April 2019|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510071039/https://www.thepfa.com/news/2019/4/25/premier-league-team-of-the-year|url-status=live}} On 28 April 2019, he was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year.{{cite web |title=Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema win PFA player of the year awards |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48065752 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 April 2019 |date=28 April 2019 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918170446/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48065752 |url-status=live }} Following Liverpool's 2–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final on 1 June, Van Dijk was named UEFA's man of the match.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0252-0e99c19b0df2-c2e63df5c79b-1000--liverpool-beat-tottenham-to-win-sixth-european-cup/ |title=Liverpool beat Tottenham to win sixth European Cup |publisher=UEFA |date=1 June 2019 |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602180120/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2019/matches/round=2000984/match=2025486/postmatch/report/ |url-status=live }}

File:Liverpool vs. Chelsea, UEFA Super Cup 2019-08-14 33 (cropped).jpg]]

In August 2019, Van Dijk won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award. On 2 September 2019, he was shortlisted in the final three of the best FIFA football awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/national/17875102.van-dijk-take-messi-ronaldo-fifa-player-year/|title=Van Dijk to take on Messi and Ronaldo again for FIFA player of the year|date=2 September 2019|access-date=2 September 2019|newspaper=Stroud News|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902133412/https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/national/17875102.van-dijk-take-messi-ronaldo-fifa-player-year/|url-status=live}} On 23 September 2019, he was voted runner-up in The Best FIFA Men's Player and into the FIFA FIFpro Men's World 11.{{cite web|url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/c2744b999977dcd/original/itqmjfv2sfevdiib4psc-pdf.pdf|title=Final Ranking the best FIFA Football awards|access-date=24 September 2019|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=24 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124131520/https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/c2744b999977dcd/original/itqmjfv2sfevdiib4psc-pdf.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/3bd6b331efedfa78/original/z0gygcuwnxuz6pimfuhm-pdf.pdf|title=Voting breakdown in the best Fifa Men's player 2019|access-date=24 September 2019|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=29 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129182113/https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/3bd6b331efedfa78/original/z0gygcuwnxuz6pimfuhm-pdf.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/national/17922187.rapinoe-calls-change-wins-big-alongside-messi-klopp/|title=Rapinoe calls for change as she wins big alongside Messi and Klopp|date=23 September 2019|access-date=23 September 2019|newspaper=Stroud News|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924071327/https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/national/17922187.rapinoe-calls-change-wins-big-alongside-messi-klopp/|url-status=live}} In October 2019, Van Dijk was shortlisted as one in 30 football players for the Ballon d'Or.{{cite web|first=Brendan|last=Hodrien|url=https://www.rousingthekop.com/2019/10/22/seven-liverpool-players-up-for-ballon-dor-as-reds-dominate-the-shortlist/|title=Seven Liverpool players up for Ballon d'Or as Reds dominate the shortlist|date=22 October 2019|access-date=22 October 2019|website=Rousing The Kop|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022135256/https://www.rousingthekop.com/2019/10/22/seven-liverpool-players-up-for-ballon-dor-as-reds-dominate-the-shortlist/|url-status=live}} At the event in December, he finished runner-up behind Lionel Messi.{{cite web|url=https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/US-soccer-star-Rapinoe-wins-Ballon-d-Or-14876298.php|title=Megan Rapinoe, Lionel Messi win Ballon d'Or awards|access-date=2 December 2019|website=News Manistee Advocate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203150930/https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/US-soccer-star-Rapinoe-wins-Ballon-d-Or-14876298.php|archive-date=3 December 2019|url-status=dead}} The edition of the award was controversial in that while many believed that Messi was the justified winner of the award, many others believed that Van Dijk had been unfairly overlooked,{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-ballon-d-or-2019-lionel-messi-results-a9230486.html |title= Virgil van Dijk: Why 'unique' Liverpool star would have been a worthy Ballon d'Or winner over Lionel Messi |website=The Independent|access-date=1 November 2023}}{{cite news| url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/03/virgil-van-dijk-lionel-messi-ballon-dor-jurgen-klopp-liverpool|title= Virgil van Dijk deserved Ballon d'Or over Lionel Messi, claims Jürgen Klopp |website=The Guardian|access-date=1 November 2023}} with teammate Fabinho stating that “People always notice strikers more than defenders, but he should have won when you consider what he did individually and how he helped the team win the Champions League”.{{cite news| url= https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/van-dijk-should-have-won-ballon-dor-alexander-arnold-can-become-best-in-world-fabinho/l96v5a7a1id31cwtt5w27wi6s|title= Van Dijk should have won the Ballon d'Or & Alexander-Arnold can become one of the best in the world - Fabinho|website=Goal|access-date=1 November 2023}} On 21 December 2019, after missing the semi-final of the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup with illness, Van Dijk played in the final against Flamengo with Liverpool winning the trophy for the first time in the club's history.{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/firmino-writes-liverpool-into-club-world-cup-history |title=Firmino writes Liverpool into Club World Cup history |publisher=FIFA |date=21 December 2019 |access-date=21 December 2019 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608042146/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/firmino-writes-liverpool-into-club-world-cup-history |url-status=live }}{{cite news|first=Harry|last=Poole|title=Firmino winner seals Club World Cup win|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50869633|access-date=22 December 2019|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222075712/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50869633|url-status=live}}

Van Dijk received further recognition following the turn of the year, when he was named in the 2019 UEFA Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0e9f89606f80-08eb0bd0350b-1000--uefa-com-fans-team-of-the-year-2019-revealed/ |title=UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2019 revealed|publisher=UEFA|date=15 January 2020|access-date=15 January 2020|archive-date=15 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115164517/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2637433.html|url-status=live}} On 19 January 2020, Van Dijk scored his first North-West Derby goal against Manchester United in Liverpool's 2–0 win at Anfield in the Premier League.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/01/19/liverpool-vs-manchester-united-premier-league-live-score-latest/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/01/19/liverpool-vs-manchester-united-premier-league-live-score-latest/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Liverpool brush Manchester United aside in breathless contest to go 16 points clear at the top of the table|last1=Burt|first1=Jason|date=19 January 2020|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=20 January 2020|last2=Tweedale|first2=Alistair}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51080695 |title=Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United: Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah goals secure win |website=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2020 |access-date=20 January 2020 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616153358/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51080695 |url-status=live }} Over the course of the 2019–20 domestic campaign, Van Dijk started and completed every minute for Liverpool.{{cite news |url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/mins_played |title=2019/2020 Premier League Player Stats |publisher=Premier League |access-date=2 August 2020 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524180541/https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/mins_played |url-status=live }} Liverpool won the Premier League title in the 2019–20 season, their first top-flight title in 30 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53183857 |title=Liverpool win Premier League: Reds' 30-year wait for top-flight title ends |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=29 September 2023}}

On 12 September 2020, Van Dijk scored a headed goal against Leeds United on the opening day of the new season.{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/58899 |title=Liverpool v Leeds, 2020/21 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=17 October 2020 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419212444/https://www.premierleague.com/match/58899 |url-status=live }} On 17 October, he was substituted in the sixth minute of the Merseyside derby after a challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.{{Citation|title=Virgil van Dijk injured after collision with Jordan Pickford {{!}} Premier League {{!}} NBC Sports| date=17 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fIhePfNjO0|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607172000/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2fIhePfNjO0&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}} On the following day, it was announced that he had suffered an ACL injury in his right knee and would undergo surgery.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54590771 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender needs knee surgery and faces lengthy lay-off |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320024908/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54590771 |url-status=live }} Van Dijk was expected to be out from six to twelve months.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/van-dijk-injury-how-long-will-liverpool-defender-be-out/vcnj2rj0ryef1phjrh2al2rlj|title=Van Dijk injury: How long will Liverpool defender be out for & which games will he miss?|publisher=Goal|date=19 October 2020|access-date=26 October 2020|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122065610/https://www.goal.com/en/news/van-dijk-injury-how-long-will-liverpool-defender-be-out/vcnj2rj0ryef1phjrh2al2rlj|url-status=live}} On 30 October it was announced that the surgery on his injuries had been successful.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/12115209/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-undergoes-successful-knee-surgery-in-london|title=Van Dijk injury: Successful Surgery|publisher=Sky Sports|date=30 October 2020|access-date=28 December 2020|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514170932/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/12115209/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-undergoes-successful-knee-surgery-in-london|url-status=live}} Dutch national team coach Frank de Boer had hoped that Van Dijk would be able to make his return before UEFA Euro 2020,{{cite web|url=http://www.football-oranje.com/de-boer-hoping-for-van-dijk-at-the-european-championships/|title=De Boer hoping for Van Dijk at the European Championships|work=Football Oranje |date=30 November 2020|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928133302/http://www.football-oranje.com/de-boer-hoping-for-van-dijk-at-the-european-championships/|url-status=live |author1=Admin }} Van Dijk however decided that he should continue his rehabilitation so he could start the next season fully fit.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/virgil-van-dijk-euro-2020-liverpool-injury-news-b1846162.html|title=Virgil van Dijk rules himself out of Netherlands' Euro 2020 campaign to focus on Liverpool return|work=The Independent|date=12 May 2021|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928133300/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/virgil-van-dijk-euro-2020-liverpool-injury-news-b1846162.html|url-status=live}}

Van Dijk made his first appearance in over nine months on 29 July 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute in a pre-season friendly against Hertha BSC.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c8znezxl5rro|title=Van Dijk & Gomez thank fans after injury return|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 July 2021|access-date=1 August 2021|archive-date=1 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801142153/https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c8znezxl5rro|url-status=live}} On 13 August 2021, Van Dijk signed a new four-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2025.{{Cite web|title=Virgil van Dijk signs new long-term Liverpool contract|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/440641-virgil-van-dijk-signs-new-long-term-liverpool-contract|access-date=13 August 2021|website=Liverpool FC|date=13 August 2021|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813085844/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/440641-virgil-van-dijk-signs-new-long-term-liverpool-contract|url-status=live}} His first goal for Liverpool in over 14 months came against his former club Southampton, when he hit a volley from a corner.{{Cite web|title=Liverpool 4–0 Southampton: Free-scoring Liverpool move second as Diogo Jota scores twice in thumping win|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-southampton/report/446415|access-date=28 December 2021|website=Sky Sports|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228124900/https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-southampton/report/446415|url-status=live}}

On 27 February 2022, Van Dijk helped Liverpool win the 2021–22 EFL Cup, scoring his penalty in the shoot-out over Chelsea after a goalless draw in normal time.{{cite web|first= Phil |last=McNulty |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60450274|title=Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport| date=27 February 2022|access-date=28 September 2022}}

His performances during the 2021–22 season earned him a place in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61736732|title=Mohamed Salah and Sam Kerr win PFA player of year awards|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 June 2022|access-date=9 June 2022}} Van Dijk earned a runners-up medal in the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61609200 |title=Liverpool 0–1 Real Madrid |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2022 |access-date=28 February 2023 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606200753/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61609200 |url-status=live }} losing the final to Real Madrid, and was selected as part of the Team of the Season.{{cite news |title=2021/22 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0275-154650014aef-02a394f30379-1000--official-team-of-the-season/ |publisher=UEFA |date=31 May 2022 |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606205239/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0275-154650014aef-02a394f30379-1000--official-team-of-the-season/ |url-status=live }} Liverpool narrowly missed out on the chance to achieve a historic quadruple, coming second in the Premier League and the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League but winning both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.{{Cite news |title= Liverpool's quadruple, treble chase is over: Reds settle for double in 2021-22 |website= Sporting News |url= https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/news/liverpool-quadruple-chase-2021-22-reds-man-united-treble/pmwqorelovih6pge6xnpv3av#:~:text=The%20Reds%20were%20battling%20on,making%20history%20with%20a%20quadruple. |access-date= 2023-06-02 |archive-date= 2 June 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230602153936/https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/news/liverpool-quadruple-chase-2021-22-reds-man-united-treble/pmwqorelovih6pge6xnpv3av#:~:text=The%20Reds%20were%20battling%20on,making%20history%20with%20a%20quadruple. |url-status= live }}

On 29 October 2022, Liverpool lost 2–1 at home to Leeds United which was Van Dijk's first home defeat at Anfield in the Premier League after 70 games since joining the club in January 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-record-28362396 |title=Virgil Van Dijk's remarkable 70-game record comes to an end with Liverpool's loss to Leeds |first=Colin |last=Millar |publisher=The Mirror |date=29 October 2022 |access-date=30 October 2022 |archive-date=29 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029222606/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-record-28362396 |url-status=live }} Van Dijk was criticised for a number of performances in the 2022–23 season{{Cite web |date=3 April 2023 |first=Neil |last=Jones |title=Virgil van Dijk's form is seriously worrying for Liverpool - they must pray it's only a short-term blip |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/van-dijk-form-worrying-liverpool-pray-short-term-blip/blt58d768845945dde1 |publisher=Goal |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506222601/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/van-dijk-form-worrying-liverpool-pray-short-term-blip/blt58d768845945dde1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date= 17 April 2023 |first= Nick |last= Wright |title= Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender looks well below his best but is he on the decline or simply out of form? |url= https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/12855900/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-looks-well-below-his-best-but-is-he-on-the-decline-or-simply-out-of-form |publisher= Sky Sports |access-date= 6 May 2023 |archive-date= 6 May 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230506222601/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/12855900/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-looks-well-below-his-best-but-is-he-on-the-decline-or-simply-out-of-form |url-status= live }} but soon regained his authoritative defensive traits with a performance against Brentford which led to him being voted Man of the Match by BBC Sport users.{{Cite web |date = 6 May 2023 |first = Neil |last = Johnston |title = Liverpool 1 Brentford 0 |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65433560 |publisher = BBC Sport |access-date = 6 May 2023 |archive-date = 5 May 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230505155132/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65433560 |url-status = live }} At the end of the 2022–23 season, Liverpool narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification.{{Cite news |title= Mohamed Salah 'totally devastated' Liverpool miss out on Champions League football: 'absolutely no excuse' |publisher= EuroSport |url= https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2022-2023/mohamed-salah-totally-devastated-liverpool-miss-out-on-champions-league-football-absolutely-no-excus_sto9623012/story.shtml |access-date= 29 May 2023 }}

On 31 July 2023, following the departure of Jordan Henderson, Van Dijk was named as Liverpool's new captain.{{cite web |last1=Carroll |first1=James |title=Virgil van Dijk named new Liverpool captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold vice-captain |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/virgil-van-dijk-named-new-liverpool-captain-trent-alexander-arnold-vice-captain |website=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=31 July 2023 |date=31 July 2023}} On 27 August, Van Dijk was given his first Liverpool red card following a foul on Newcastle United's Alexander Isak.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Sam |date=27 August 2023 |title=Darwin Nunez's late double sees 10-man Liverpool beat Newcastle at St. James' Park |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/darwin-nunezs-late-double-sees-10-man-liverpool-beat-newcastle-st-james-park |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903160438/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/darwin-nunezs-late-double-sees-10-man-liverpool-beat-newcastle-st-james-park |archive-date=3 September 2023 |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=Liverpool FC}} Initially, Van Dijk refused to leave the pitch and swore at referee John Brooks.{{Cite web |last=Durkan |first=Joanna |date=8 September 2023 |title=Virgil van Dijk BANNED vs. Wolves for red card reaction |url=https://www.thisisanfield.com/2023/09/virgil-van-dijk-banned-vs-wolves-for-red-card-reaction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908210920/https://www.thisisanfield.com/2023/09/virgil-van-dijk-banned-vs-wolves-for-red-card-reaction/ |archive-date=8 September 2023 |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=This Is Anfield}} Van Dijk was handed a one-match ban for the contentious red card, but was given an additional game ban after he admitted to acting in an 'improper manner' towards a match official. He was also fined £100,000 for his use of abusive words.{{Cite web |date=8 September 2023 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender handed extra one-game suspension for red card reaction against Newcastle |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12957473/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-handed-extra-one-game-suspension-following-red-card-against-newcastle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908211129/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12957473/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-handed-extra-one-game-suspension-following-red-card-against-newcastle |archive-date=8 September 2023 |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=Sky Sports}}{{Cite web |date=8 September 2023 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool captain gets an extra one-match ban for red-card reaction at Newcastle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66743423 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908211352/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66743423 |archive-date=8 September 2023 |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=BBC}} On 25 February 2024, he won his first trophy as Liverpool captain and scored the only goal from a header in extra time of a 1–0 victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup final.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68329936 |title=Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2024 }} In the process, he was adjudged the man of the match and won the Alan Hardaker Trophy for the second time in his career, making him the fourth person to do so, along with John Terry, Vincent Kompany and Ben Foster.{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Joel |date=26 February 2024 |title=Virgil Van Dijk: Big Game VVD Shows Up for Liverpool Again With MOTM Display in Carabao Cup Final |url=https://sportsbrief.com/football/59890-virgil-van-dijk-big-game-vvd-shows-liverpool-motm-display-carabao-cup-final/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Sports Brief |archive-date=27 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227000618/https://sportsbrief.com/football/59890-virgil-van-dijk-big-game-vvd-shows-liverpool-motm-display-carabao-cup-final/ |url-status=dead }}

Van Dijk entered the final season of his club contract with no clear idea regarding his future at Liverpool. On 21 October, it was reported he began talks with the club about a new deal.{{Cite web |date=21 October 2024 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool captain in contract talks about new deal at Anfield |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c70z0jl7kqro |access-date=22 October 2024 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} In his 290th appearance for Liverpool, a 1–0 win over Girona in the UEFA Champions League in December 2024, Van Dijk became the first Liverpool player to reach 200 wins in under 300 appearances.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Henry |date=11 December 2024|title=Brilliance of Van Dijk for Liverpool bummed up by impressive new statistic |url=https://www.thisisanfield.com/2024/12/brilliance-of-virgil-van-dijk-for-liverpool-summed-up-by-impressive-new-statistic/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=This Is Anfield |language=en-GB}}

On 17 April 2025, Van Dijk signed a two-year contract extension, six days after Mohamed Salah also extended his contract.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=Virgil van Dijk signs new Liverpool FC contract - Liverpool FC |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/virgil-van-dijk-signs-new-liverpool-fc-contract |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=www.liverpoolfc.com |language=en}}

On 12 May 2010, Van Dijk made his debut for the Netherlands U19 in a friendly against South Korea U19.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-18 |title=Speler: Virgil van Dijk {{!}} OnsOranje |url=http://www.onsoranje.nl/team-statistieken/teams/speler/20/53e33825-dd403199-185872 |access-date=2023-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082917/http://www.onsoranje.nl/team-statistieken/teams/speler/20/53e33825-dd403199-185872 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }} Then on 14 November 2011, Van Dijk made his debut for the Netherlands U21 in a qualifying match against Scotland U21 and played a further two friendlies for the team.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-18 |title=Speler: Virgil van Dijk {{!}} OnsOranje |url=http://www.onsoranje.nl/team-statistieken/teams/speler/25/53e33825-dd403199-185872 |access-date=2023-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082828/http://www.onsoranje.nl/team-statistieken/teams/speler/25/53e33825-dd403199-185872 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}

Van Dijk was selected for the Netherlands senior squad three times in 2014,{{Cite web |title=Father Virgil van Dijk selected in Dutch National Team |date=7 September 2014 |work=The Quan |url=http://thequan.nl/father-virgil-van-dijk-selected-in-dutch-national-team/ |access-date=21 April 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016023214/http://thequan.nl/father-virgil-van-dijk-selected-in-dutch-national-team/ |url-status=live }} but did not make his debut until 10 October 2015, when the Netherlands beat Kazakhstan 2–1 in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier.{{cite web |title=Successful Saturday for Saints stars |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2015-10-10/successful-saturday-for-saints-stars |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=10 October 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708191921/https://southamptonfc.com/news/2015-10-10/successful-saturday-for-saints-stars |url-status=live }} Three days later, he played in a 3–2 home loss to the Czech Republic which ensured the Netherlands would not qualify for UEFA Euro 2016.{{Cite web |last=Syiemlieh |first=Rachel |date=18 November 2019 |title=Virgil van Dijk delighted as the Netherlands end their exile from major tournaments by clinching Euro 2020 spot |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/virgil-van-dijk-delighted-as-the-netherlands-end-their-exile-from-major-tournaments-by-clinching-euro-2020-spot |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135609/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/virgil-van-dijk-delighted-as-the-netherlands-end-their-exile-from-major-tournaments-by-clinching-euro-2020-spot |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Holland miss out on Euro 2016 play-offs with defeat by Czech Republic {{!}} Euro 2016 qualifiers {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/13/holland-czech-republic-euro-2016-qualifiers-match-report |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=amp.theguardian.com |date=13 October 2015 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135608/https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/13/holland-czech-republic-euro-2016-qualifiers-match-report |url-status=live }} He played six of the Netherlands' ten matches in their unsuccessful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.{{Cite web |title=Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk called up by Netherlands - Sports Mole |url=https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/southampton/world-cup/news/van-dijk-called-up-to-netherlands-squad_308626.html |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=amp.sportsmole.co.uk |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135608/https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/southampton/world-cup/news/van-dijk-called-up-to-netherlands-squad_308626.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2018-10-14 |title=Virgil Van Dijk says beating Germany is a turning point for the Netherlands |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-fc-news-germany-netherlands-holland-uefa-nations-league-a8583261.html |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

Van Dijk was awarded the captaincy of his country by manager Ronald Koeman on 22 March 2018,{{cite web |title=Van Dijk named new Netherlands captain |first=Daniel |last=Karell |date=22 March 2018 |access-date=22 March 2018 |website=NBC Sports |url=http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/03/22/van-dijk-named-new-netherlands-captain/ |archive-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030850/http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/03/22/van-dijk-named-new-netherlands-captain/ |url-status=live }} leading the team for the first time in a 1–0 home friendly defeat by England the next day.{{cite web |title=Netherlands 0–1 England |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=23 March 2018 |access-date=24 March 2018 |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43380175 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701110444/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43380175 |url-status=live }} On 26 March, he scored his first international goal to conclude a 3–0 win over European champions Portugal at the Stade de Genève.{{cite web |title=Soccer – Portugal suffer first-half collapse in 3–0 loss to Dutch |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-friendly-por-ned/soccer-portugal-suffer-first-half-collapse-in-3-0-loss-to-dutch-idUKKBN1H22S7 |access-date=26 March 2018 |work=Reuters |date=26 March 2018 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129225950/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-friendly-por-ned/soccer-portugal-suffer-first-half-collapse-in-3-0-loss-to-dutch-idUKKBN1H22S7 |url-status=dead }} On 13 October, he scored in a 3–0 win over Germany in the group stage of the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45851123 |title=Netherlands 3–0 Germany: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum score for hosts |date=13 October 2018 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328064842/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45851123 |url-status=live }} On 19 November, he scored a 91st minute equalising goal in a 2–2 draw away to the same opposition to qualify the Netherlands from their Nations League group.[https://nos.nl/artikel/2260043-hoe-een-simpel-briefje-de-avond-van-oranje-redde.html Hoe een simpel briefje de avond van Oranje redde] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709231325/https://nos.nl/artikel/2260043-hoe-een-simpel-briefje-de-avond-van-oranje-redde.html |date=9 July 2020 }}, NOS.nl 20 November 2018 In June 2019, Van Dijk captained the Netherlands at the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, where they finished as runner-up after being beaten 1–0 by host nation Portugal in the final on 9 June.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2024422--portugal-vs-netherlands/?referrer=%2Fuefanationsleague%2Fseason%3D2019%2Fmatches%2Fround%3D2000958%2Fmatch%3D2024422%2Findex |title=Portugal 1–0 Netherlands |website=UEFA |date=9 June 2019 |access-date=23 May 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524072212/https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2024422--portugal-vs-netherlands/?referrer=/uefanationsleague/season%3D2019/matches/round%3D2000958/match%3D2024422/index |url-status=live }}

In May 2021, Van Dijk ruled himself out of playing in the postponed UEFA Euro 2020 to have enough time to recover after a long-term injury since October 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57083439 |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool & Netherlands defender rules himself out of Euro 2020 |website=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2021 |access-date=23 May 2021 |archive-date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523022200/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57083439 |url-status=live }}

In November 2022, Van Dijk was announced as the Dutch captain for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He led his team to the top of Group A with wins over Senegal and hosts Qatar.{{Cite web |title=World Cup 2022 - Senegal 0-2 Netherlands: Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen get Dutch off to winning start |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/12748787/world-cup-2022-senegal-0-2-netherlands-cody-gakpo-and-davy-klaassen-get-dutch-off-to-winning-start |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Sky Sports |language=en |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128180431/https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12098/12748787/world-cup-2022-senegal-0-2-netherlands-cody-gakpo-and-davy-klaassen-get-dutch-off-to-winning-start |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=World Cup 2022 - Netherlands 2-0 Qatar: Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong secure top spot in Group A |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12757057/world-cup-2022-netherlands-2-0-qatar-cody-gakpo-and-frenkie-de-jong-steer-dutch-into-last-16 |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Sky Sports |language=en |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128180501/https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11095/12757057/world-cup-2022-netherlands-2-0-qatar-cody-gakpo-and-frenkie-de-jong-steer-dutch-into-last-16 |url-status=live }} In the quarter-final match against Argentina, Van Dijk took the first kick of the tie-breaking penalty shootout which was saved by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez as the Dutch were beaten 4–3 in Lusail.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/09/netherlands-argentina-world-cup-quarter-final-match-report |title=Argentina edge Netherlands in shootout to win World Cup quarter-final thriller |work=The Guardian |date=9 December 2022 |access-date=6 February 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220053732/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/09/netherlands-argentina-world-cup-quarter-final-match-report |url-status=live }}

In June 2023, Van Dijk was part of the Netherlands' squad for the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals, where he captained the team against both Croatia in the semi-final and Italy in the third place play-off.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2035581--netherlands-vs-croatia/|title=Netherlands vs Croatia|date=15 June 2023|access-date=7 June 2024|website=UEFA}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2035583--netherlands-vs-italy/|title=Netherlands vs Italy|date=18 June 2023|access-date=7 June 2024|website=UEFA}}

On 29 May 2024, Van Dijk was named in the Netherlands' squad for UEFA Euro 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5526712/2024/05/29/netherlands-euro-2024-squad-confirmed/|title=Example Title|date=29 May 2024|access-date=7 June 2024|website=The New York Times}}

Van Dijk is a physically strong, right-footed centre-back, who usually features on the left-hand side of central defence, although he can also play as a right-sided centre-back.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportbible.com/football/reactions-take-a-bow-news-virgil-van-dijk-voted-the-best-defender-in-world-football-20190316|title=Virgil Van Dijk Voted The Best Defender In World Football|date=16 March 2019|website=Sportbible|access-date=20 April 2019|archive-date=20 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320092735/http://www.sportbible.com/football/reactions-take-a-bow-news-virgil-van-dijk-voted-the-best-defender-in-world-football-20190316|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Virgil van Dijk 'can be a great' as Liverpool agree to pay £75m for defender |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40730793 |website=BBC Sport |date=27 December 2017 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=8 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108000203/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40730793 |url-status=live }} He is gifted with pace,{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/1004040/watch-virgil-van-dijk-burns-premier-league-faster-player-in-a-sprint-liverpool-wolves/ |title=Watch: Virgil van Dijk burns 'Premier League's faster player' in a sprint |website=Fox Sports Asia |last1=Rangarajan |first1=Aditya |date=22 December 2018 |access-date=3 June 2019 |archive-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603174801/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/1004040/watch-virgil-van-dijk-burns-premier-league-faster-player-in-a-sprint-liverpool-wolves/ |url-status=dead }} good technique, and an eye for goal, and is an effective set-piece taker. Regarding his ability, former Celtic teammate Kris Commons commented that Van Dijk was "comfortable on the ball", also noting that "He had good technique and a wonderful right foot. He was good on set-pieces, some of the free-kicks he scored for Celtic are absolute wonders. He could read the game well. He had an aura about him, a confidence, because I think he knew he was good."{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/15117/11684250/how-virgil-van-dijk-became-the-premier-leagues-top-defender |title=How Virgil van Dijk became the best |website=Sky Sports |last1=Bate |first1=Adam |access-date=3 June 2019 |archive-date=8 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141245/https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/15117/11684250/how-virgil-van-dijk-became-the-premier-leagues-top-defender |url-status=live }}

Neil McGuinness, senior scout at Celtic when Van Dijk was signed, called him "everything you would want if you could create a profile of the ideal central defender", praising him as a "very smooth ball-playing defender" who possesses aerial prowess, skills from dead ball situations, and "strong leadership qualities", while commenting that since his move to England, he is "more tactically aware now [...] his anticipation and timing has improved and he is a lot more of an all-rounder". McGuinness believes Van Dijk's "biggest problem" is that he "can switch off when the game is comfortable". In 2018, Steve Douglas of The Globe and Mail described Van Dijk with the following words: "Powerful in the air, measured with the ball at his feet, quick, and with superb positional sense, van Dijk [sic] has it all."{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-man-u-face-down-virgil-van-dijk-the-type-of-defender-they-desperately/ |title=Man U face Virgil Van Dijk, the type of defender they desperately lack, in key Liverpool match |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |last1=Douglas |first1=Steve |date=13 December 2018 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916192653/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-man-u-face-down-virgil-van-dijk-the-type-of-defender-they-desperately/ |url-status=live }} Dario Pergolizzi also described Van Dijk as a good marker in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/van-dijk-liverpool-analisi-2018-19/ |title=L'affare van Dijk |website=Ultimo Uomo |language=it |last1=Pergolizzi |first1=Dario |date=28 March 2019 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027205141/https://www.ultimouomo.com/van-dijk-liverpool-analisi-2018-19/ |url-status=live }}

In a 2019 interview with Marca, when Lionel Messi was asked why Van Dijk was so difficult to beat, the Argentine responded: "He is a defender who knows how to judge his timing and wait for the right moment to challenge or jockey [the attacker]. He is very fast and big, but he has a lot of agility for his height. He is fast because of its [sic] great stride, and he is impressive both in defence and attack because he scores lots of goals."{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/10/17/5da81c0122601d1b308b458c.html |title=Messi: The body rules and I have to take more care of myself than before |newspaper=Marca |last1=Gallardo |first1=Juan Ignacio |last2=Rojo |first2=Luis F. |date=17 October 2019 |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017161142/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/10/17/5da81c0122601d1b308b458c.html |url-status=live }}

That same year, Paul Merson described Van Dijk as "the best in the world, and I think by a long way, as a defensive centre-half." In 2020, Vincent Kompany called Van Dijk the best centre-back to ever appear in the Premier League, claiming the Liverpool "before Van Dijk and the other after him, it's a completely different setup". In 2022, Erling Haaland named Van Dijk the best defender he has played against, calling him "fast, strong and 'bad' smart", as well as praising his timing.{{Cite web |last=Ridley |first=Nathan |date=27 January 2022 |title=Erling Haaland couldn't win "one duel against" world's toughest defender |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/erling-haaland-virgil-van-dijk-26066626 |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=mirror |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608125353/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/erling-haaland-virgil-van-dijk-26066626 |url-status=live }} In 2023, Ben Foster claimed that Van Dijk was the "best defender that has ever lived" during his pre-injury run with Liverpool.

In 2024, Van Dijk revealed that while his childhood favorite team used to be Barcelona, his biggest inspiration as a defender was AC Milan's center back Alessandro Nesta.{{cite web | url=https://www.milannews.it/news/olanda-van-dijk-da-piccolo-amavo-sia-nesta-che-maldini-quel-milan-era-qualcosa-di-diverso-540229 | title=Olanda, van Dijk: "Da piccolo amavo sia Nesta che Maldini, quel Milan era qualcosa di diverso" }} He had also named Ronaldinho as his favorite player of all time, who in turn called Van Dijk the best defender of his generation.{{cite web | url=https://www.givemesport.com/88075075-virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-star-names-ronaldinho-as-his-inspiration-during-q-a | title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool star names Ronaldinho as his inspiration during Q & A | date=24 October 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/ronaldinho-hails-fantastic-virgil-van-dijk | title=Ronaldinho hails 'fantastic' Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool FC | date=25 January 2022 }}

Van Dijk features as the cover star of the champions edition of EA Sports' FIFA video game FIFA 20.{{cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk to be EA SPORTS' FIFA 20 Champions Edition cover star |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/357944-virgil-van-dijk-fifa-20-champions-edition-cover-star |access-date=26 July 2019 |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |archive-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523181001/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/357944-virgil-van-dijk-fifa-20-champions-edition-cover-star |url-status=live }} He is endorsed by sportswear company Nike.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/bmR0I1uUxIr0zZjXAlEAII/Nike-gains-a-step-on-Adidas-in-competition-for-top-football.html|title=Nike gains a step on Adidas in competition for top football stars|last=Weiss|first=Richard|date=26 January 2018|website=www.livemint.com|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205041943/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/bmR0I1uUxIr0zZjXAlEAII/Nike-gains-a-step-on-Adidas-in-competition-for-top-football.html|url-status=live}}

{{quote box

| width = 40%

| quote = "Nobody really knows the reason. What exactly happened is private and I won't tell the media. It's nobody's business. But my father is no longer in my life."

| source = — Dutch International, Virgil van Dijk, on his name, in 2018.{{cite news|last=Jan |date=2018-12-06

|url=https://dutchsoccersite.org/you-voted-virgil-van-dijk-dutch-international-of-2018/ |title=You voted: Virgil van Dijk, Dutch International of 2018 |website=Dutch Soccer / Football site – news and events |language=en-US |access-date=2023-04-21 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043010/https://dutchsoccersite.org/you-voted-virgil-van-dijk-dutch-international-of-2018/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Liverpool's Van Dijk will be a major obstacle for Manchester City |url=https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/EPL/Liverpools-Van-Dijk-will-be-a-major-obstacle-for-Manchester-City/826389 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=m.allfootballapp.com |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043009/https://m.allfootballapp.com/amp/news/EPL/Liverpools-van-Dijk-will-be-a-major-obstacle-for-Manchester-City/826389 |url-status=live}}

}}

Van Dijk commonly uses only his first name on the kit. According to his uncle Steven, this is because of a family feud with his father who abandoned his family during Virgil's childhood.{{cite web |title=Here Is Why Virgil van Dijk Only Uses His First Name On Kit |url=https://www.footyheadlines.com/2019/03/here-is-why-virgil-van-dijk-only-uses-first-name-on-kit.html |website=Footy Headlines |access-date=18 March 2019 |date=18 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091244/https://www.footyheadlines.com/2019/03/here-is-why-virgil-van-dijk-only-uses-first-name-on-kit.html |url-status=live }}

Van Dijk met his wife Rike Nooitgedagt when he was 20 and they have been married since the summer of 2017.{{Cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk: 'I'm never nervous any more' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/champions-league/virgil-van-dijk-i-m-never-nervous-any-more-1.3905678 |access-date=2023-04-21 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043006/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/champions-league/virgil-van-dijk-i-m-never-nervous-any-more-1.3905678 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |first1=Ellie |last1=Pithers |first2=Scarlett |last2=Russell |title=From Raheem Sterling to Virgil van Dijk, nine footballers on fashion, family and positive change |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/from-raheem-sterling-to-virgil-van-dijk-nine-footballers-on-fashion-family-and-positive-change-t9z50lfvk |access-date=2023-04-21 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421043007/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/from-raheem-sterling-to-virgil-van-dijk-nine-footballers-on-fashion-family-and-positive-change-t9z50lfvk |url-status=live }} The couple's first child was born 2014, they now have four children.{{cite web |last1=Itolondo |first1=Sospeter |title=Liverpool players' wives and girlfriends 2022 |url=https://sportsbrief.com/facts/teams/17131-liverpool-players-wives-girlfriends-2022-hottest/ |website=SportsBrief.com |date=23 May 2022 |publisher=Naji Media Ltd |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002114242/https://sportsbrief.com/facts/teams/17131-liverpool-players-wives-girlfriends-2022-hottest/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gannon |first=Michael |date=2014-09-03 |title=Celtic were always my first choice, insists Stefan Scepovic |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-were-always-first-choice-4155289 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Daily Record |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425220726/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-were-always-first-choice-4155289 |url-status=live }}

{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 23 March 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/virgil-van-dijk/4/ |title=Virgil van Dijk: Internationals |website=WorldFootball.net |date=29 August 2023 |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=7 April 2024}}

{{updated|match played 23 March 2025}}

:Netherlands score listed first, score column indicates score after each Van Dijk goal.

File:VVD - 2025 Liverpool Trophy Parade (crop).jpg

Celtic

• Scottish Premiership: 2013–14, 2014–15{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/virgil-van-dijk_prs276965/person.shtml |title=Virgil van Dijk |work=Eurosport |access-date=7 January 2018}}
• Scottish League Cup: 2014–15

Liverpool

• Premier League: 2019–20,{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/5140/Virgil-van-Dijk/overview |title=Virgil van Dijk: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=24 November 2022 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623082923/https://www.premierleague.com/players/5140/Virgil-van-Dijk/overview |url-status=live }} 2024–25{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/virgil-van-dijks-title-reaction-soak-it-all-we-fulfilled-big-dream|title=Virgil van Dijk's title reaction: 'Soak it all in - we fulfilled a big dream'|website=Liverpool FC|date=28 April 2025|accessdate=1 May 2025}}
• FA Cup: 2021–22{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61429640 |title=Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2022 |access-date=14 May 2022 |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513202531/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61429640 |url-status=live }}
• EFL Cup: 2021–22,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60450274 |title=Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225154041/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60450274 |url-status=live }} 2023–24;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68329936 |title=Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2024 |access-date=25 February 2024}} runner-up: 2024–25{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62zl58dg8qt#Line-ups |title=Liverpool 1–2 Newcastle United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=16 March 2025 |access-date=11 April 2025}}
• FA Community Shield: 2022{{Cite news |title=Nunez nets as Liverpool win Community Shield |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62275194 |access-date=30 July 2022 |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730225825/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62275194 |url-status=live }}
• UEFA Champions League: 2018–19;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48368443 |title=Tottenham Hotspur 0–2 Liverpool |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2019 |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905112812/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48368443 |url-status=live }} runner-up: 2017–18,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44258022 |title=Real Madrid 3–1 Liverpool |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2018 |access-date=25 February 2024}} 2021–22{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61609200 |title=Liverpool 0–1 Real Madrid |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2022 |access-date=25 February 2024}}
• UEFA Super Cup: 2019{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49332825 |title=Liverpool 2–2 Chelsea |first=Gary |last=Rose |website=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2019 |access-date=15 August 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814235223/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49332825 |url-status=live }}
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2019{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50869633 |title=Liverpool 1–0 Flamengo |first=Harry |last=Poole |website=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2019 |access-date=21 December 2019 |archive-date=22 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222075712/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50869633 |url-status=live }}

Individual

• PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2018–19
• PFA Team of the Year: 2018–19 Premier League,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48028713 |title=PFA Team of the Year: Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling and Sadio Mane included in side |website=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2019 |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405155757/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48028713 |url-status=live }} 2019–20 Premier League,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54044861 |title=PFA Player of the Year: Kevin de Bruyne and Beth England named 2020 winners |website=BBC Sport |date=8 September 2020 |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910032017/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54044861 |url-status=live }} 2021–22 Premier League, 2023–24 Premier League{{cite news|url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2024/8/20/pfa-premier-league-team-of-the-year-2024|title=PFA Premier League Team of the Year|publisher=Professional Footballers' Association|access-date=20 August 2024|date=20 August 2024}}
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2018–19
• Premier League Player of the Year by Northwest Football Awards: 2019{{cite news |url=https://www.northwestfootballawards.com/2019-winners/ |title=2019 Winners & Finalists |publisher=Northwest Football Awards |access-date=2023-08-13}}
• Alan Hardaker Trophy: 2022{{cite web |title=Virgil van Dijk receives the Alan Hardaker Trophy |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/february/virgil-van-dijk-receives-the-alan-hardaker-trophy/ |publisher=English Football League |date=28 February 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301033135/https://www.efl.com/news/2022/february/virgil-van-dijk-receives-the-alan-hardaker-trophy/ |url-status=live }} 2024
• UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2018–19
• UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season: 2018–19{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0254-0e99ddf93264-03d009b00c5a-1000--virgil-van-dijk-champions-league-defender-of-the-season/|title=Virgil van Dijk: Champions League Defender of the Season|date=29 August 2019 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117041949/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2618579.html?iv=true|url-status=live}}
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2018,{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d8202451389-96824880e336-1000--uefa-com-fans-team-of-the-year-2018-revealed/ |title=UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2018 revealed |publisher=UEFA |date=11 January 2019 |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=13 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713090104/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2589223.html |url-status=live }} 2019, 2020{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0265-1160a803540f-283794ce2b95-1000--uefa-com-fans-teams-of-the-year-2020-announced/ |title=UEFA.com Fans' Teams of the Year 2020 announced |publisher=UEFA |date=20 January 2021 |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120150306/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/mediareleases/news/0265-1160a803540f-283794ce2b95-1000--uefa-com-fans-teams-of-the-year-2020-announced/ |url-status=live }}
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18,{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d8222ae4584-fc81fa8bf4d6-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season/ |title=UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season |publisher=UEFA |date=27 May 2018 |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-date=2 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602104547/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2560100.html |url-status=live }} 2018–19,{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0252-0e99c3f9c0f4-c762bb0ec7f4-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season/ |title=UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season |publisher=UEFA |date=2 June 2019 |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-date=12 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712170609/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2607890.html |url-status=live }} 2019–20{{cite news |title=UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0260-103d6b6179e6-7a1932c7a58c-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season |publisher=UEFA |date=28 August 2020 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=14 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114125542/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0260-103d6b6179e6-7a1932c7a58c-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season/ |url-status=live }}
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021–22
• UEFA Nations League Finals Team of the Tournament: 2019{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0253-0d821e23494c-f0c94c4974b3-1000--uefa-nations-league-finals-team-of-the-tournament/ |title=UEFA Nations League Finals: Team of the Tournament |publisher=UEFA |date=10 June 2019 |access-date=11 June 2019 |archive-date=6 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706120334/https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/newsid=2607717.html |url-status=live }}
• Liverpool Fans' Player of the Season Award: 2018–19{{cite news |title=Revealed: The LFC Players' Awards 2019 winners |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/351626-revealed-the-lfc-players-awards-2019-winners |access-date=31 May 2019 |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=27 May 2019 |archive-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527152357/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/351626-revealed-the-lfc-players-awards-2019-winners |url-status=live }}
• Liverpool Players' Player of the Season Award: 2018–19
• Southampton Player of the Season: 2015–16{{cite web |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-05-11/van-dijk-the-big-winner-at-saints-player-awards |title=Van Dijk the big winner at Saints' Player Awards |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=11 May 2016 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129100008/https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2016-05-11/van-dijk-the-big-winner-at-saints-player-awards |url-status=dead }}
• PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2013–14, 2014–15
• Celtic Players' Player of the Year: 2013–14{{cite web | title=Champions celebrate at Awards night | url=http://www.celticfc.net/news/5816 | publisher=Celtic F.C. | date=4 May 2014 | access-date=21 May 2019 | archive-date=1 June 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601222526/http://www.celticfc.net/news/5816 | url-status=live }}
• FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2019,{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/fifa-fifpro-mens-world11/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525151147/https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/fifa-fifpro-mens-world11/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2019 |title=World 11: FIFA FIFPro Men's World11 - Winner |publisher=FIFA |date=23 September 2019}} 2020,{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/lucy-bronze-and-robert-lewandowski-are-the-best-of-2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217195406/https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/lucy-bronze-and-robert-lewandowski-are-the-best-of-2020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 December 2020 |title=Lucy Bronze and Robert Lewandowski are The Best of 2020 |publisher=FIFA |date=17 December 2020 |access-date=17 December 2020}}{{Cite web|date=17 December 2020|title=The FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11 of 2019-2020 - FIFPRO World Players' Union|url=https://fifpro.org/en/industry/world-11/the-fifa-fifpro-men-s-world-11-of-2020|access-date=18 December 2020|publisher=FIFPro|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217190342/https://fifpro.org/en/industry/world-11/the-fifa-fifpro-men-s-world-11-of-2020|url-status=live}} 2022,{{Cite web |date=27 February 2023 |title=Messi makes World 11 history as Benzema earns maiden inclusion |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/fifpro-mens-world-11-2022-benzema-cancelo-casemiro-courtois-de-bruyne-haaland-hakimi-mbappe-messi-modric-van-dijk |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=FIFA |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |archive-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227214011/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/fifpro-mens-world-11-2022-benzema-cancelo-casemiro-courtois-de-bruyne-haaland-hakimi-mbappe-messi-modric-van-dijk |url-status=live }} 2024{{cite web |title=Who is in the 2024 FIFPRO Men's World 11? |url=https://www.fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/world11/who-is-in-the-2024-fifpro-men-s-world-11 |website=fifpro.org |date=9 December 2024|access-date=9 December 2024}}
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2019,{{cite web |url=https://iffhs.de/iffhs-awards-the-iffhs-men-world-team-of-the-year-2019/ |title=IFFHS AWARDS 2019 – THE IFFHS MEN WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR 2019 |publisher=International Federation of Football History & Statistics |date=30 November 2019 |access-date=30 November 2019 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202213823/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-awards-the-iffhs-men-world-team-of-the-year-2019/ |url-status=live }} 2020,{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/809 |title=IFFHS WORLD AWARDS 2020 - THE WINNERS |publisher=International Federation of Football History & Statistics |date=4 December 2020 |access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613010326/https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/809 |url-status=live }} 2022{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/2465 |title=IFFHS MEN'S WORLD TEAM 2022 |publisher=International Federation of Football History & Statistics |date=11 January 2023 |access-date=11 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111083043/https://iffhs.com/posts/2465 |url-status=live }}
• Sports Illustrated Premier League Team of the Decade: 2010–2019{{Cite web |date=30 December 2019 |title=Premier League Team of the 2010s: The Decade's Best |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/12/30/premier-league-best-team-decade-2010s |website=si.com |language=}}
• IFFHS World Team of the Decade: 2011–2020{{Cite web|title=IFFHS (International Federation of Football for History & Statistics|url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/919|access-date=31 January 2021|publisher=International Federation of Football History & Statistics|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615090122/https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/919|url-status=live}}
• IFFHS UEFA Team of the Decade: 2011–2020{{Cite web|title=IFFHS (International Federation of Football for History & Statistics|url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/932|access-date=31 January 2021|publisher=International Federation of Football History & Statistics|archive-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617014104/https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/932|url-status=live}}
• ESM Team of the Year: 2018–19,{{cite web |title=Reus, Kimmich und ter Stegen im ESM-Team der Saison |url=https://www.kicker.de/reus-kimmich-und-ter-stegen-im-esm-team-der-saison-750955/slideshow |publisher=kicker |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630143727/https://www.kicker.de/750955/slideshow |archive-date=30 June 2019 |language=de |url-status=live}} 2019–20,{{cite web |title=ESM reveal Team of the Year for 2019/20 |date=31 August 2020 |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/08/31/5f4d437d268e3e985e8b4577.html |publisher=Marca |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126041418/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/08/31/5f4d437d268e3e985e8b4577.html |url-status=live }} 2021–22,{{cite web |last=Rainbow |first=Jamie |title=ESM Team of the Season – 2021-22 |work=World Soccer |date=13 June 2022 |url=https://www.worldsoccer.com/esm-golden-shoe/esm11/esm-team-of-the-season-2021-22-413812 |access-date=21 June 2022 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627154851/https://www.worldsoccer.com/esm-golden-shoe/esm11/esm-team-of-the-season-2021-22-413812 |url-status=live }} 2023–24{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Jamie |title=ESM Team of the Season: 2023-24 |work=World Soccer |date=10 June 2024 |url=https://www.worldsoccer.com/european-sports-media/esm11/esm-team-of-the-season-2023-24-415102 |access-date=10 June 2024 }}
• Football Supporters' Federation Player of the Year: 2019{{cite web |title=Virgil Van Dijk named Football Supporters' Association men's player of the year |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/virgil-van-dijk-named-football-supporters-association-mens-player-of-the-year-38790875.html |date=12 January 2020 |access-date=12 January 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217184000/https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/virgil-van-dijk-named-football-supporters-association-mens-player-of-the-year-38790875.html |url-status=live }}
• The Athletic European Men's Team of the Season: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6336642/2025/05/20/athletic-end-of-season-awards-2024-25-men/ |title= The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, 2024-25: Men’s football |website=The Athletic| url-access=subscription |date=28 May 2025}}
• The Athletic Premier League Team of the Season: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6336642/2025/05/20/athletic-end-of-season-awards-2024-25-men/ |title= The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, 2024-25: Men’s football |website=The Athletic | url-access=subscription |date=28 May 2025}}
• Premier League Fan Team of the Season: 2024–25{{cite news |title=REVEALED: 2024/25 Fan Team of the Season |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/4322522 |access-date=1 June 2025 |publisher=Premier League}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/mens/player/virgil-van-dijk Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website
• [https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/106 Profile] at the Royal Dutch Football Association website (in Dutch)
• {{UEFA player}}
• [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/vandijk-intl.html Virgil van Dijk international appearances] at Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation

{{Liverpool F.C. squad}}

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{{2019 UEFA Nations League Finals Team of the Tournament}}

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Category:1991 births

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