Virgil van Dijk should have settled his Liverpool future after the Reds’ defeat in the Carabao Cup final.

Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards will have been watching proceedings closely at Wembley. There will be plenty they will not have liked.

The mere two shots on target in close to 100 minutes played is simply not good enough and confirms why Liverpool are looking to overhaul their attack as revealed exclusively by Anfield Watch.

Mo Salah’s poor performance yet again also highlights why Liverpool have been reluctant to renew his current deal. He looked rugged on the pitch and struggled to beat his man – not for the first time recently he was outplayed.

That will raise question marks about the Egyptian’s future but he’s not the only one with an uncertain outlook.

Virgil van Dijk is in a similar boat. However, conversely he will have settled his future in a positive way despite the Reds’ defeat.

Why Virgil van Dijk has just settled Liverpool future

There has been a lot of debates surrounding Liverpool’s trio with expiring contracts at the end of the season about whether they all deserve their contract extensions.

Even Van Dijk has faced scrutiny. After all, he’s not getting any younger. Is there not a worry his performances will start to drop as he inevitably enters the twilight of his career?

Despite the season he has had this continues to be a question mark around Van Dijk, but it’s a question mark he should have completed abolished after his performance in the Carabao Cup final.

Things could have been a lot worse for Liverpool if their club captain wasn’t on the pitch.

Van Dijk essentially kept the Reds in the game single-handedly, defending at times as Slot rotated his formation heavily and subbed off Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool to attack Newcastle.

The defender handled Newcastle’s counter attacks with brilliant poise and often put his body on the line to make sure the Reds chance never really waned.

It was only in the dying embers of the game when Liverpool’s fate had been decided.

And as the Reds’ fate was decided as will have Van Dijk’s. It’s clear out of the Liverpool trio he is the one who needs to be tied down to the club the most.

Not only is he the club captain and essential in the dressing room he is also irreplaceable on the pitch. You could probably replace Alexander-Arnold’s creativity and Salah’s goal-scoring prowess but you cannot replace Van Dijk’s defensive aura.

Hughes and Edwards will have been watching that game and it should have been enough for them to realise Van Dijk’s future is settled.

If logic prevails, he will be staying at Liverpool. No question about it.

Sky Sports issued an apology for what Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk did prior to the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.

Sky Sports were forced into an immediate apology seconds into the Carabao Cup final following an X-rated remark from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Holders Liverpool are taking on Newcastle in the showpiece at Wembley and following the pre-match handshakes and national anthems, Van Dijk gathered his teammates into a huddle prior to the kick-off.

Cameras closed in on the Dutchman and his teammates and the microphones picked up his rallying cry, as he appeared to tell them, “We worked so hard to be here. Let’s f***ing do this together. Come on!”

Viewers picked up on the swearing and just seconds into the final, Peter Drury had to begin his Sky Sports commentary with an apology for colourful language.

Van Dijk was the matchwinner in last season’s final, scoring the only goal of the game late in extra time against Chelsea.

Needless to say, the passionate speech from Van Dijk garnered plenty of reaction on social media.

One fan on X said: “Sky/ITV decided to do a close up of the Liverpool team huddle and the following was clearly audible: Virgil van Dijk: ‘We worked so hard to be here. Let’s f***ing do this’. They immediately put up a ‘We apologise for the bad language sign’.”

A second added: “They’ve moved the camera too close to Liverpool’s team huddle, now kids all around the world get to hear Van Dijk shouting “Let’s f***ing do it together!”

The commentator is apologising. How about you stay away next time. Not everything is for TV.”

A third weighed in: “Sky apologising for Van Dijk swearing when the cameraman is in the middle of the team huddle seconds before a cup final is up there with the most ridiculous things I’ve seen for a while.”

Another commented: “Sky apologising for Van Dijk swearing in the huddle. The game has gone.”

A final user posted: “Sky Sports regretting filming the team huddle there after Van Dijk just swore.“

Liverpool have won the League Cup on a record 10 occasions, with Newcastle lifting the trophy four times in their history. Their last major bit of silverware came in 1955 when they won the FA Cup.

Liverpool confirmed team news v Newcastle United as Alisson dropped but Mo Salah starts

Arne Slot has named his Liverpool team for today’s Carabao Cup final.

What Isaac Did on His Way to Wembley Speaks Volumes – A Sure Sign Liverpool Will Bring the Trophy Home!

The atmosphere is electric, the stakes are high, and Liverpool fans around the world are filled with hope. But one special moment before the big game has already sent a powerful message – Liverpool is destined for glory!

What Isaac Did

Young Isaac, a passionate Reds supporter, was on his way to Wembley when he started singing the iconic anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” His voice, full of passion and belief, echoed through the streets, turning heads and drawing smiles from fellow supporters. It wasn’t just a song; it was a declaration of faith, a battle cry, and a reminder that Liverpool never walks alone.  

For many, Isaac’s act may seem simple, but for true Liverpool fans, it means everything. The anthem has been a symbol of resilience and triumph for decades, carrying the team and its supporters through the toughest times. Every great Liverpool victory has been preceded by the chorus of this legendary song, sung with unshakable faith.

Isaac’s spontaneous chant is more than just a show of support; it’s a sign. A sign that the spirit of Liverpool is alive and strong, that belief is unwavering, and that the trophy is heading to Anfield. If history has taught us anything, it’s that when the fans believe, the players deliver.

So as Liverpool steps onto the Wembley pitch, they do so with the voices of millions behind them – and with Isaac’s heartfelt song leading the way. The Reds are ready, destiny is calling, and the trophy is coming home!

8 players to miss Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United after latest manager updates.

Liverpool vs Newcastle United team news ahead of the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Last season Liverpool went into the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea amid a frightening injury crisis.

Manager Jurgen Klopp had no choice but to turn to several first-team novices for the Wembley showdown.

Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns were among the Liverpool academy stars who got on the pitch at Wembley.

Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas meanwhile were among the unused substitutes. Top performers like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah were among those sidelined with injury.

But that didn’t hold back the Reds with Virgil van Dijk’s extra-time winner granting Klopp’s side the victory.

History is threatening to repeat itself this season with Liverpool facing a defensive injury crisis ahead of the final on Sunday against Newcastle. Trent Alexander-Arnold is out yet again while Ibrahima Konate is a doubt.

Both were injured during the midweek Champions League elimination to Paris Saint-Germain at Wembley. And while French centre-back Konate could end up coming back into contention, Trent will need to be replaced.

Trent needs to be replaced, admits Slot

“Trent is indeed not available. He will not be there at the final,” head coach Arne Slot told a pre-match press conference.

“But he’s still to be assessed for how long it’s going to take. We do expect him back before the end of the season.”

This time however Bradley won’t be able to start in his absence as the Northern Irishman has a hamstring injury of his own to contend with.

And while Arne Slot has several options at his disposal for Wembley, it looks like another Anfield wonderkid is set for an unexpected start.

Quansah, 22, has been on the fringes this season and has a preferred position of centre-back. However, given the Reds’ pressing needs ahead of Sunday, it looks like the recent England call-up will get the nod with fellow defender Joe Gomez ALSO out injured.

Is Quansah the most dependable option?

“Centre-back Jarell Quansah saw out the remainder of Tuesday’s tie in Alexander-Arnold’s place,” writes James Pearce in the Athletic.

“The 22-year-old also started December’s Premier League draw with Newcastle at right-back and has featured in the position from the bench in recent weeks in Gomez and Bradley’s absence.”

Quansah looks the most dependable option among several contenders including Wataru Endo and, perhaps surprisingly, Curtis Jones.

Virgil van Dijk has reportedly received a highly lucrative contract offer from a massive club.

Virgil van Dijk has ‘chosen to embark on a new challenge’ amid his contract situation at Liverpool, according to stunning reports.

Van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season and will become a free agent as things stand.

He has still yet to put pen to paper on a new Liverpool deal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah in the same situation.

Naturally, the Liverpool trio have been the subject of intense transfer speculation.

Rumours continue to swirl as their existing contracts run down.

And a report in Spanish outlet Fichajes claims Van Dijk has ‘made the decision not to renew his contract with Liverpool’ and has ‘chosen to embark on a new challenge’ in the shape of a move to Bayern Munich.

Per the report, he has received a ‘very attractive offer’ from Bayern, who are among the clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

The German side have presented him with a ‘highly lucrative contract’ and sources close to the player assure that the 33-year-old is ‘very close to giving a definitive yes’.

Van Dijk leaving Anfield would be a huge blow to Liverpool and Arne Slot, who stressed he would love the star defender to still be at the club next season.

“The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season,” he said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup final. “All the rest, these talks about contracts, that is not what I do here.”

Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday and speaking after the game, Van Dijk admitted he had ‘no idea’ what the future holds.

“I have no idea. I still have no idea at the moment,” he said. “Genuinely. I have no idea at the moment. It is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There’s just… I keep saying the same thing. Listen, there are ten games to go, and that is my full focus. If there is news, you guys will know it.

“I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes, but that is about it. At the moment, I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”

Liverpool face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.