Virgil van Dijk has indicated he wants to extend his stay with Liverpool.
The 33-year-old's contract with the Reds is set to expire next summer but in quotes reported in The Mirror the Netherlands' centre-back pointed to his level of "responsibility" for both club and country.
Van Dijk said: “At both teams I am still Virgil van Dijk, the big leader! And I certainly want to remain that for the next two years.
"I am human, I have emotions too. You start thinking all kinds of things. Especially just after a game like the elimination [by England at Euro 2024] in the very last minute.
“I also understand that it came across unclear on how I stood in all this, because after the match I was so disappointed and full of emotion. It perhaps came across as if it had been my last international match. I did have doubts that night and I did hint at that.
“It's very good that I went on holiday the next day, was able to spend time with my children, my family, which is the most important thing in my life. I was able to share it and then very quickly things calmed down.”
Van Dijk added: “It was a very long and intense season last year, including the Euros. I focus on the team and the boys so much. I always try to talk and am constantly busy with everyone. I've had that responsibility for years. As captain, it's the team first and then yourself.
“But it should not be at the expense of your own performance. In my opinion, I have always managed that very well. When I am in a bubble during the European Championship, I feel very responsible for all sorts of things. That can sometimes bring some difficult moments.
“Did that come at the expense of my game? I am someone who does not look for excuses easily and I am realistic.
“From a footballing point of view, it could have been better personally. I have come to that conclusion. Not that things went badly, not at all, but the expectations are very high and I wasn't able to live up to that.”
Van Dijk continued: “The moment I started talking to the national coach, I was already fine with it. It is quite normal that the national coach and the captain make an analysis about how the European Championship went.
“But it is also about the confidence you get and you look at your own ability and ask whether you are still important enough. I am very much important, on and off the pitch. I don't like to say that about myself, but I am. The responsibility at the club and at the national team is still super big.”
