Van Dijk’s future: Is Liverpool and Netherlands centre-back about to break hearts?

Virgil van Dijk has invited speculation about his future with Liverpool and the Netherlands after Oranje's Euro 2024 exit against England.

A Harry Kane penalty and late Ollie Watkins strike turned the game on its head after Xavi Simons had put the Dutch into an early seven-minute lead.

The 33-year-old defender could not prevent the 90th-minute goal that sealed a 2-1 loss for the Oranje in Dortmund on Wednesday night, and has since acknowledged the need for reflection for country and club, with only a year remaining on his contract at Liverpool.

"I haven't the slightest idea right now," he admitted to Reuters about his future plans. “I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international player.

“Then we’ll go for it again, but first recover from this. After a season like this, where all kinds of things have happened, it gets emotional at the end because you know it’s over.”

It remains to be seen if Van Dijk, who played every minute of the Netherlands' six matches at Euro 2024 — bringing his international appearances to 74 — will play for his nation again.

The defender was also a mainstay for Liverpool throughout the 2023-24 Premier League season, missing only two matches due to suspension.

Back in May, the centre-back indicated no progress on contract talks with the club, despite naming compatriot Arne Slot as their new manager.