Liverpool may be enjoying life at the top of the Premier League, but with Virgil Van Dijk’s contract up in the summer, they need to start looking at replacements as soon as possible.
A month ago, the mood around Liverpool was one full of joy and happiness as they were still competing for three trophies.
Liverpool still have their lead at the top of the Premier League. However, the last week has seen them knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and then lose 2-1 at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle.
Winning the Premier League title would still mean that Liverpool have managed a fantastic achievement this season, especially in Arne Slot’s first campaign as manager, but with the defeats to Newcastle and PSG, some of the cracks have started to show.
One possible crack is the fact that there are no current signs of a new deal being signed by Van Dijk at this current time. He has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, as well as PSG, on a free transfer.
Marc Guehi
There are some ideal replacements out there for Van Dijk, especially in the Premier League. One of these players is Crystal Palace captain and England international Marc Guehi. The 24-year-old has shown that he can play at the highest level.Â
He is young, good on the ball and has been key to the Eagles being much-improved in 2025 after a sluggish start to the current campaign. The South London club have only lost two games out of 12 since January. and have managed to keep clean sheets in each of their five last away games.
It’s no shock to see Guehi also linked to Chelsea and if Liverpool do want to sign him then they should do so this summer. The Palace captain only has one year left on his contract by the time this season ends, so Liverpool could sign a top defender for a cheaper price.
Murillo
Another ideal replacement, who has a similar profile to Marc Guehi, is Murillo. The Brazilian defender is having an amazing season at Nottingham Forest and he is a key reason for the club surprisingly battling for a spot in the next season’s Champions League. Forest are now seen as one of the favourites for the top four, with their odds currently as short as 4/7, or 64% for those unfamiliar with odds.
Murillo is good on the ball, great at defending and has shown that he can perform in a team battling nearer the top of the Premier League.
Dean Huijsen
If Liverpool wanted a centre-back of similar stature to Van Dijk then Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen could be the ideal signing. His presence is a lot more towering than Guehi and Murillio’s – he’s six foot five, and he would help Liverpool maintain the height that Van Dijk brings to the back line.Â
Huijsen is having a fantastic season at Bournemouth and with him having a £55m release clause, it feels like Liverpool could have a bargain on their hands if they pushed for the Spaniard.
These possible replacements are young and have shown that they have more than enough quality to succeed at Liverpool. Van Dijk’s possible replacement will need to be someone who can play at the highest level in the division but also be an ever-present in the Liverpool side for many years. Guehi, Huijsen and Murillo definitely fit this profile.
Whatever happens with Van Dijk, it will be hard for Liverpool to replace their captain, but signing an exciting talent already excelling in the Premier League definitely seems like the best way to replace him.
