News'It's a combination' - the secrets to Virgil van Dijk's longevity
The Liverpool captain was the only outfield player to feature for every minute of any team’s campaign in the Premier League in 2025-26.
That feat was achieved in what was Van Dijk’s eighth full season at the Reds – with the past three as skipper.
The centre-back, who turns 35 in July, is about to lead the Netherlands at the World Cup, ahead of returning to Anfield and seeking to build on a legacy that already includes 374 appearances and two league titles.
Asked how he has maintained such robustness regarding fitness, Van Dijk says in the latest edition of WALK ON, our official eMagazine: “Discipline, discipline and discipline!
“For me it is something that is quite normal because I feel the responsibility to be there every time and also to perform every time.
“Last year [2024-25] I didn’t do it [play every minute] because for the Brighton game at the end of the season I was on the bench.
“So, it’s not really a surprise, but obviously I’m doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes in order to be ready and take the responsibility for the team.
“So, yes, it is a combination of recovering well, eating well, the right lifestyle in total, also physical therapy. I can’t tell you the details, but yoga, everything. That’s part of it, to make sure that you can perform at a constant level.
“I’ve had one season here that unfortunately I had to miss a lot of, but in the rest of the seasons I think I’ve played more than 40 matches. And I think the most matches before this season have been played in the season after my knee injury.
“That’s quite remarkable. When I heard that I thought it was quite interesting.
“But yes, it’s the best thing there is, playing matches. And I do everything for that and I want to keep doing it at the highest level.”
Van Dijk continues: “I’m in a situation where obviously I am the oldest in the team. But for me, it doesn’t really change anything.
“I just want to inspire – let other players see what I do in order to be playing the amount of games I’ve been playing and the consistency that I have. It’s down to them as well to make that next step.
“I joined eight-and-a-half years ago and six months later I was named third captain. That responsibility made me also the player that I am today – leading and being part of the group that has been so successful.
“It has been a privilege as well.”