Van Dijk holds talks with new Netherlands boss Xavi to settle international future

Virgil van Dijk has held face-to-face talks with new Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez to resolve his international future, with the Liverpool captain weighing up whether to continue representing his country ahead of Euro 2028.

The 35-year-old defender, who has earned 96 caps for the Netherlands, met with Xavi during the week Liverpool faced Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. Dutch media reports indicate a further meeting between the pair is scheduled over the coming weeks.

“I feel that I can still be valuable and important to the team,” Van Dijk said of his international outlook. “If we see eye to eye on that, we have two good years ahead of us leading up to Euro 2028. And if not, then we’ll see.”

Xavi Hernandez was appointed Netherlands manager following Ronald Koeman’s departure after the Dutch were eliminated in the round of 32 at the World Cup. The Netherlands face Germany in their Nations League opener during the upcoming international break, with further fixtures against Serbia twice and Greece.

The uncertainty over Van Dijk’s international standing mirrors the situation at club level. His Liverpool contract runs until the summer of 2026, and reports suggest Anfield’s hierarchy will delay renewal discussions until next year.

On the pitch, Liverpool’s domestic campaign has stuttered under manager Andoni Iraola, with the club drawing three of their opening four Premier League matches, including a stalemate with Fulham at the weekend.

Iraola acknowledged his side’s struggles, citing a punishing fixture schedule. “I think there is a lack of freshness, definitely — we cannot hide it,” the Spaniard said. “It’s these kind of games that you need to win sometimes with a set-play, sometimes with the shot from the edge, sometimes from a moment of brilliance from the offensive players, and we haven’t had that today.”