The comment came during Slot’s pre-match press conference on Thursday, February 5, 2026, ahead of Liverpool’s blockbuster Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. Amid discussions about the club’s recent signing of young French centre-back Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes (a £60m deal sealed on deadline day as part of a long-term defensive strategy), Slot was pressed on whether such moves signal planning for life after Van Dijk, who turns 35 in July and has just 16-18 months left on his contract (expiring in summer 2027).
Slot didn’t shy away from the reality, delivering a candid yet balanced response that has dominated headlines and social media ever since. He said: “Of course, we are aware of the fact that Virgil will not play for this club for 10 more years, but he has a one-and-a-half-year contract left, so he will be with us for that period of time and maybe even longer if he keeps staying as fit as he is now. Hopefully he can stay fit for multiple years, but this club is not stupid. We do know somewhere in the upcoming years, there is life for this club without Virgil—but that is for every position.”
The four-word phrase—“there is life without Virgil”—has been isolated and amplified across outlets like the Liverpool Echo, Mirror, BBC Sport, Sky Sports News, and TEAMtalk, sparking intense debate. Slot balanced it with praise for Van Dijk’s remarkable fitness and form: “What a compliment that is to him he can play every three days,” noting the Dutchman’s ability to feature regularly for club and country at his age. He stressed that Liverpool’s planning is “never in panic” but long-term and thoughtful, not a suggestion that Van Dijk is being pushed out imminently.
Still, the admission has hit hard for many fans. Van Dijk remains a talismanic figure—Liverpool’s captain, a leader on and off the pitch, and one of the Premier League’s all-time great centre-backs since joining from Southampton in 2018. His performances this season have been solid despite occasional criticism, and he’s been pivotal in the Reds’ campaign under Slot. The idea of “life without Virgil” feels seismic, especially with other defensive uncertainties: Ibrahima Konate’s contract also runs down in 2026 (with Real Madrid links), and injuries have thinned options (as seen ahead of the City game).
Social media erupted immediately. Clips from the presser (shared by BBC Sport, Sky Sports News, and others) racked up thousands of likes, reposts, and comments. Liverpool supporters are split: some see it as pragmatic realism from a forward-thinking manager (“This club is not stupid” has become a mantra in replies), appreciating Slot’s honesty about succession planning. Others feel it’s premature or even disrespectful to a legend who’s delivered titles and stability. Posts flooded in with reactions like “Slot dropping truth bombs—respect but ouch” and “There is life without Virgil? Fans in meltdown mode 😭.” Rivals piled on with memes, while neutrals praised Slot’s maturity in addressing the inevitable.
This comes at a pivotal moment: Liverpool face injury-hit challenges (missing key players like Frimpong, Bradley, and doubts over Gomez ahead of City), and Van Dijk’s leadership will be crucial. Slot reiterated his hope for extensions—“maybe even longer”—if fitness holds, but the four-word hint underscores that no one is irreplaceable, even icons.
For now, it’s ignited passionate discussion among the Kop. Whether it motivates Van Dijk to push for a new deal or signals the start of a transition era, Slot’s words have undeniably sent shockwaves. The Dutch duo’s bond (fellow countrymen) adds layers, but the message is clear: Liverpool plan for the future, with or without their captain. Fans will watch closely how this plays out—starting against City. 🔴💥
