Alisson and Virgil van Dijk are both out of contract at the end of the season, and Liverpool now face a decision they have been able to postpone for a while. The point is not just age, although Alisson turned 34 last month and Van Dijk is 35. It is that the performances around them are starting to make the call harder to defer.
Recent criticism around Liverpool's senior pair
The scrutiny has grown after Liverpool's 3-2 Champions League defeat at Fenerbahçe. Alisson was criticised by Ally McCoist, who said: "Brilliant header. When the ball comes in, I just think it’s in the air for a very long time, and I’m looking at my goalkeeper and I’m thinking where is Alisson?! The goalkeeper has to come for that." Stephen Warnock was equally direct, saying: "So complacent from Alisson. He thought it was a simple pass and it was far too lazy and relaxed."
The numbers around both players are solid enough to keep the debate open, but they also show why Liverpool are thinking ahead. Alisson has made 9 Premier League appearances in 2026 and carries a 6.67 league rating, while Van Dijk has also started 9 league matches and sits on 7.03.
Liverpool's succession options
Liverpool are already moving pieces into place behind the pair. Giorgi Mamardashvili arrived last summer in a £29m deal from Valencia, Giovanni Leoni was brought in for an initial £26million from Parma, and the club also have a £30m agreement for Lucca Brughmans of Genk.
That does not mean the club have settled the question. Graeme Bailey said Liverpool are still assessing alternatives in the market, and he added: "The Reds already have young Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans coming arriving in 2027, while Giorgi Mamardashvili is also on their books. However, Mamardashvili is not currently viewed as the long-term replacement for Alisson, and Liverpool are continuing to assess alternative options in the market." Mamardashvili has not yet made a Premier League or Champions League appearance for Liverpool in 2026, so the heir-apparent label is still premature.
Liverpool do not need to force a verdict today, but the combination of expiring deals, criticism after Fenerbahçe and the recruitment work behind them points in one direction. The club are already planning for what comes after this version of the side, and the contracts on Alisson and Van Dijk make the conversation unavoidable before the season ends.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
