The 5 most realistic replacements for Virgil Van Dijk at Liverpool - ranked

There will come a time, possibly very soon, when Liverpool will have to find a replacement for what seems irreplaceable.

Virgil van Dijk 's situation on Merseyside remains uncertain, and there is a possibility that the renowned Dutch defender could decide not to renew his contract with the club, allowing him to leave as a free agent in June.

Virgil van Dijk 's status as one of the Premier League 's greatest legends is undeniable. Several factors fueled Liverpool 's resurgence over the last decade, and the Dutch defender's arrival is undoubtedly among the most decisive.

Even if the 33-year-old decides to renew his contract, the Reds will likely be on the hunt for a center-back this summer. Van Dijk remains an elite defender, but a long-term replacement needs to be considered.

Below, we review five realistic options to replace the Liverpool captain in the upcoming transfer window.

1. Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace have regained their form under Oliver Glasner, but all signs point to losing their captain this summer. Marc Guéhi has several options in the Premier League , and Liverpool is one of the teams interested in signing him.

The former Chelsea defender has built a strong reputation at Selhurst Park, establishing himself as one of the best English defenders. His performances at Euro 2024 proved he can perform in the most demanding settings, following several seasons of consistency in south London.

Guéhi is a defender with great reading of the game and, like Van Dijk, prefers to play on the left wing despite being right-footed. He excels at switching plays and has the ability to fit into an aggressive defensive line. At 24, he is still far from his best, but has already demonstrated leadership and maturity on the pitch.

2. Dean Huijsen

Letting Huijsen leave for less than £13 million looks like another masterstroke by Juventus . Anyone who saw him play on loan at Roma last season knew that Bournemouth were getting a bargain at the Italian club's expense. The Spanish defender has been one of the revelations of the season, benefiting from Marcos Senesi

's long-term injury , allowing him to form a great partnership with the equally outstanding Illia Zabarnyi. Huijsen plays with a calmness that is rare for his age, but his confidence never becomes overconfidence. His relaxed attitude does not affect his solid foundations as a defender, allowing him to deploy a wide range of qualities. He is a different kind of defender, to be sure, but he always prioritizes his defensive work and has the potential to develop into an elite player. For Liverpool , taking him from Bournemouth after just one season would cost them around £50 million.

3. David Hancko

Liverpool won't be limiting their search to the Premier League market , although many of their top signings in recent years have come from domestic rivals. Should the Reds decide to look beyond England, one name sure to attract interest is Feyenoord's David Hancko . Like Huijsen , the Slovenian defender is a joy to watch. He's a centre-back with the soul of a midfielder, who doesn't hesitate to bring the ball out from deep to create play in the opposition's half. His precise passing and ability to carry the ball with authority make him a constant threat. Hancko has worn the captain's armband in Quinten Timber's absence this season and boasts experience at the highest level, with Feyenoord competing in the Champions League in recent years. Arne Slot is also familiar with his talent, having brought him to the club from Sparta Prague in 2022 just before they won the Eredivisie.

4. Nico Schlotterbeck

An elegant left-footed defender with great ability to move forward, Nico Schlotterbeck is one of the center-backs Liverpool has its sights on.

The German international has been one of the few bright spots in a difficult season for Borussia Dortmund , a team that considers him a key player for its future.

There is talk of a possible contract renewal and even the possibility of Schlotterbeck inheriting the team's captaincy. Therefore, if Liverpool is serious about signing him, they will have to make a significant effort to convince him. The defender was key in Dortmund 's qualification to the Champions League final last season and continues to show constant improvement.

At 1.91 meters tall, the defender is a versatile player, reliable on the ball and solid at recovering, despite not being the fastest. His future could depend on which European competition Dortmund manages to qualify for next season.

5. Gonçalo Inacio

Gonçalo Inácio has become a recurring name in recent transfer windows, although he was never really close to leaving Sporting CP. In February, the center back reached 200 appearances for the Portuguese club at the age of 23, cementing himself as a key player in the team.

Liverpool have been linked with the defender on several occasions, and it wouldn't be surprising if interest resurfaces in the upcoming transfer window. Despite Sporting's ups and downs following the departure of Rúben Amorim , Inácio has maintained his form and remains a reliable reference on the left side of the defense.

His ability on the ball is one of his key strengths. He rarely loses his temper and possesses Virgil van Dijk -like precision when switching forwards from box to box. When he opts to play short, he also proves to be a reliable and consistent distributor.

In terms of style, his ball handling is reminiscent of Aymeric Laporte's, but he also brings an attacking edge that's hard to ignore. This season in the Primeira Liga , he's registered a goal contribution every four games and has scored five times in all competitions.

While the media hype surrounding Inácio has died down somewhat, the center-back remains a huge talent with the potential to shine in the Premier League.