'If you were to lift the two trophies, I think you have a pretty good chance to be on a nice list of captains that have achieved great things in this club.'
Van Dijk was sent off for fouling Alexander Isak during the first half and appeared to remonstrate with referee John Brooks before walking off the pitch.
Following are the award winners who were honoured by UEFA during the Champions League draw on Thursday in Monaco.
Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool in January 2018, has helped the club win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. Van Dijk wants to become a 'Liverpool legend' and says there is nothing stopping the Premier League club achieving 'incredible things'.
"The difficult thing about him is when we are attacking, he is chilling somewhere in a corner or something," remembered Van Dijk.
Strict rules govern transfers, with clubs able to negotiate terms with players only if they are out of contract or once a fee has been agreed with the seller. The laws also govern indirect approaches via an intermediary.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was among the biggest attractions in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Friday as he watched Alexander Zverev beat Britain's Arthur Fery to reach his maiden men's singles final at the All England Club.
While Ronaldo, a three-time winner, has been ever-present in the final three since the award was created in 2011, centre back Van Dijk makes his first appearance after helping Liverpool win the Champions League title last season.
Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo and his partner experienced the tragic loss of their unborn son. The national team, including coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk, has offered immense support, allowing Gakpo time off with his family during the World Cup. Despite the personal tragedy, Gakpo is expected to play in the upcoming match against Morocco, showing remarkable fortitude.
'Nobody is for sale that we don't want to sell and so he is not for sale in this window. We have said it more than once'
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister failed to see the funny side after Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk joked that the Portuguese forward is "not really a rival" in the Ballon D'Or award voting.
Japan showed their battling qualities to eke out a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F opener on Sunday, as Hajime Moriyasu's side backed up their desire to make an impact at the tournament with a gritty display.
Liverpool did not reveal the transfer fee but Southampton announced it was "a new world-record for a defender" with English media reporting that it was a 75 million pounds ($100.49 million) deal.
Van Dijk was substituted early in the game when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a reckless challenge in the box, which left Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp fuming.
The meeting between Morocco and Netherlands in the last 32 might have come too early at the World Cup, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman suggested on the eve of Monday's clash between the two contenders in Monterrey.
Virgil van Dijk made a dream start to his Anfield career, scoring the winning goal on his debut for Liverpool, as they beat city rivals Everton 2-1 in a pulsating FA Cup third round tie on Friday.
Dutch footballer Cody Gakpo scored a goal at the World Cup against Morocco, immediately breaking down in tears due to the recent loss of his unborn baby boy. His emotional reaction, understood by teammates and visible to his parents in the stands, highlighted the profound personal grief he carried while competing on the global stage, overshadowing the team's eventual defeat.
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman stood by his tactical decisions and substitutions after Japan struck late to earn a 2-2 draw in their opening Group F match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Real Madrid have secured France defender Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer from Liverpool, signing him until June 2030.
Morocco triumphed over the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout to advance in the World Cup after a drama-filled 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash on Monday.
Aston Villa defeated Liverpool 4-2, securing a Champions League qualification spot for next season. Ollie Watkins scored twice in the victory.
Virgil van Dijk scored with a stunning late header in the second minute of stoppage time to give Liverpool a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in their opening group stage match of the Champions League, at Anfield, on Wednesday.
Enzo Fernandez's free kick secured Chelsea a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, ending the visitors' six-game losing run in the Premier League and earning caretaker manager Calum MacFarlane a first point in charge.
The Netherlands secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Sweden in a World Cup match, with Brian Brobbey scoring an early double and Cody Gakpo adding two more in the second half. Crysencio Summerville sealed the rout with a late goal, despite Anthony Elanga pulling one back for Sweden. This win places the Netherlands at the top of Group F.
The Netherlands secured the top position in World Cup Group F with a decisive 3-1 victory over Tunisia. Tunisia's campaign ended disastrously, marked by an early own goal and a series of errors, following previous heavy losses and a coaching change.
The two teams had numerous chances in the first 90 minutes.
Manchester City defeated Arsenal in a crucial Premier League match, while Liverpool secured a late win against Everton. Nottingham Forest also claimed a significant victory against Burnley.
Carrying a red floral wreath bearing his shirt number, Diogo Jota's Liverpool teammates joined relatives and residents in a small Portuguese town on Saturday for the funeral of the soccer star.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire struck a late header to seal a thrilling 2-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool on Sunday
Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Manchester City defeated Liverpool 4-0 to advance to the FA Cup semi-finals. Liverpool struggled after Haaland's opening penalty, with further goals from Semenyo and Haaland sealing the victory.
Images from the EPL matches played on Saturday.
Liverpool end victorious season with 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace
Liverpool agree 136.3 million euros fee to sign Leverkusen's Wirtz, reports say
Denmark beat Greece 3-1 at home on Sunday to keep their unbeaten World Cup qualification campaign on track and end the visitors' hopes of reaching next year's tournament, with the battle for Group C supremacy set to go down to the wire.
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who have won the award 10 times between them, are included
Liverpool continued their march towards the Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over Everton in a scrappy Merseyside derby as Diogo Jota slotted home the winner in the second half on Wednesday.
Manchester City halved Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to three points with a 3-0 win over visitors Fulham, while Aston Villa stayed in the frame with a late 1-0 victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.
Fresh off a dominant title-winning campaign, Liverpool kick off the new Premier League season on Friday as the team to beat, as the Reds have transitioned from Juergen Klopp's high-octane chaos to a more measured possession-based style under Arne Slot.
The 22-year-old German is Liverpool's most-expensive signing ever, ahead of captain Virgil van Dijk who joined for 75 million pounds in 2017.
