Liverpool have a Virgil van Dijk REPLACEMENT sitting in the academy

The youth movement at Liverpool continues to roll on.

A successful 2-1 win over Bologna in the UEFA Youth League by the under-19 team brought some very interesting storylines to the forefront.

New signing Rio Ngumoha continued his brilliant start to the season with an exciting display, and attacker Ranel Young took his opportunity to put Liverpool 1-0 up. 

Read more: Remarkable Ryan Gravenberch FACT should be shouted from the rooftops

Why Amara Nallo could replace Virgil van Dijk

But it was captain Amara Nallo who became a real talking point, netting the winner after being handed the armband for this match.

Standout attacker Trey Nyoni had held the captaincy for the opening game of the competition against Milan two weeks ago, but the duty passed to Nallo with Nyoni called up to the first-team matchday squad in the Champions League itself.

And the centre-back rewarded the decision to place the responsibility on his shoulders by tracking the ball and reacting quickest to prod the ball home after Carter Pinnington’s header was saved by the Bologna goalkeeper.

And this was exactly what coach Barry Lewtas wanted to see.

"We have said to the defenders, from set-piece, can you add a bit more value to your game? A centre-back who is good in both boxes?" the coach explained. 

"Amara has two in two now. We made him captain and he has had a lot of experience at 21s. We have a number of boys who lead well by example… Amara is maybe finding his voice and becoming a bit more of a leader in a different way. But the way he is playing - with blocks, clearances and goals - he is becoming a leader in that way."

This is incredibly encouraging to hear. Liverpool’s centre-back situation is currently up in the air, with Virgil van Dijk yet to sign a contract extension beyond the end of the season, Ibrahima Konaté’s contract running until 2026, Jarell Quansah seeing limited game time under Arne Slot and heavy rumours of Joe Gomez leaving the club in January.

Goalscoring centre-backs have been a key part of Liverpool's play for years and this season has been no exception. Ibrahima Konaté has scored twice, his first goals since 2022, and van Dijk put the Reds ahead in their 3-1 victory over Milan. If Amara Nallo is adding goals to his game, then, the future is bright.