At 34 and with his 35th birthday approaching next month, most defenders would be thinking about winding down. Not our skipper. Van Dijk continues to defy time itself, and his latest revelation about what keeps him ticking explains exactly why he remains Liverpool's most reliable performer.

The numbers tell their own story. Eight-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, 374 appearances, and a trophy cabinet that most clubs would kill for. But it's the consistency that truly sets him apart. Last season, when everything seemed to be falling apart around him during a difficult campaign, Van Dijk was the only ever-present in the squad. Not just playing every match, but every single minute of the Premier League season whilst chipping in with six goals for good measure.

So what's the secret? The answer is refreshingly straightforward, even if the execution isn't. Speaking in Liverpool's official eMagazine WALK ON, Van Dijk laid it out in typical no-nonsense fashion: "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."

That responsibility weighs heavy, and Van Dijk knows it. He's quick to point out that last season wasn't quite perfect – he was benched for the Brighton match at the end of the campaign, breaking his run of playing every minute. But that minor blip aside, his commitment to being available is unwavering.

"I'm doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes in order to be ready and take the responsibility for the team," he explained. "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."

The dedication is relentless. Whilst others his age might be cutting corners or managing their workload, Van Dijk is doubling down on the details. Every aspect of his preparation is calculated, from nutrition to recovery to the yoga sessions he mentions but won't elaborate on. It's the kind of professional obsession that separates the good from the truly great.

What makes his consistency even more remarkable is the context. Van Dijk had one season where injury forced him to miss significant time, yet he bounced back stronger than ever. "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," he reflected. "And I think the most matches before this season have been played in the season after my knee injury."

That statistic stopped even him in his tracks. "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."

The summer offers no respite either. Van Dijk is currently in North America, captaining the Netherlands in their World Cup campaign – his second time leading his country at the finals. When that's done, he'll return to Liverpool for another season, this time under new head coach Andoni Iraola, likely partnering either new signing Jeremy Jacquet or young Italian Giovanni Leoni.

Being the elder statesman doesn't faze him one bit. "I'm in a situation where obviously I am the oldest in the team. But for me, it doesn't really change anything," he said. "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."

That leadership quality has been evident since almost the moment he walked through the door. "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."

Van Dijk's formula for longevity isn't revolutionary – discipline, preparation, and an obsessive attention to detail. But in an era where players seem to break down more frequently and careers peak earlier, his approach stands as a masterclass in professional dedication. The question isn't whether he can maintain this level much longer, but whether anyone else can match the standard he's set.