Report: How much Virgil van Dijk will earn until 2025 - Huge wages fully deserved

Virgil van Dijk has penned a new contract with Liverpool that will see him stay with the Reds until 2025 and is arguably their most important piece of business yet.

Liverpool confirmed the news at 10am this morning to give the club a massive boost heading into the 2021/22 season.

While signing a player of his magnitude in 2018 was impressive, keeping him is even more impressive as the Dutchman has grown into the best centre-back in the world in that time.

Speaking to the club after signing his new four-year contract, our no.4 said: “Amazing. It is something to be very proud of, that I am very proud of, that my wife and my kids are very proud of and obviously my agency.

“All the hard work we’ve put in so far continues and I am looking forward to what the future brings together with Liverpool. I’m delighted, very happy and proud.”

According to Salary Sport, Liverpool were paying the colossus £180,000 per week on his original contract.

According to a report from Kevin Palmer from last week, he will now earn over £200,000-a-week in line with his status as the best defender in the world.

It really is a testament to Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp that they have held onto their best talent despite not being able to offer the astronomical wages that the likes of Manchester United can.

Sancho is a 21-year-old that is undeniably talented but is as yet unproven in the Premier League and United are reportedly paying him £250,000/week.

The fact that Liverpool can compete with that kind of financial firepower on the pitch without needing to match it in the accounting department is incredible.

Van Dijk extending his contract until 2025 is amazing and while a subheading from James Pearce's article questions whether it's a risk to hand a 30-year-old a four-year contract, centre-halves age differently to midfielders and forwards.

The Athletic journalist says that Liverpool don't think it's a risky move and I agree. Even after his ACL tear, he should be able to operate at a high level and as a centre-back, he can rely on his awareness over his physical attributes if he needs to.

Sergio Ramos and Georgio Chiellini are 35 and 36 years old respectively and the latter just guided Italy to the EUROs so I don't think van Dijk's age is a concern.