Virgil van Dijk offers first glimpse of work ahead of new Liverpool campaign under Andoni Iraola

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has given fans a quiet indication that he is beginning his preparations for the new season.

A post from the defender’s Instagram story shows a first-person view of him standing on a training pitch, his long shadow stretched across the grass, a football at his feet and his bright pink boots clearly visible.

The simple image has been widely shared by supporters as a sign that the Dutchman is locked in once more.

Van Dijk has not joined Liverpool’s full pre-season squad. Like other senior players who featured deep into the 2026 World Cup, he is on a staggered rest period designed to protect player welfare after a demanding international tournament.

The Reds’ new head coach Andoni Iraola is allowing those who went furthest in the competition additional recovery time before they rejoin the main squad at the AXA Training Centre.

The Netherlands were eliminated in the round of 16 by Morocco on penalties. ..
Despite still being away from the full Liverpool setup, Van Dijk’s decision to share the training image suggests he is already doing individual work to maintain fitness.

The low-key nature of the post is typical of the centre-back, who rarely seeks the spotlight on social media.

Fans have responded positively, viewing the pink boots and empty pitch as a reassuring signal that their captain is preparing seriously for the challenges ahead.