Liverpool lay out plans to make Levi Colwill their Virgil van Dijk successor

Liverpool are serious in their intentions to convince Chelsea defender Levi Colwill to join the club this summer.

Anfield Watch has been told that talks between Liverpool and the defender's representatives have taken place and the Reds have set out their plans to persuade him of a move to Anfield.

As part of their much-discussed summer rebuild, Liverpool are looking for a centre-back with the flexibility to fill in at left-back and as part of a back-three system.

Anfield Watch understands that Jurgen Klopp and the club hierarchy are looking at options who can provide Andy Robertson with some competition and an occasional rest, as well as someone with the potential to replace Virgil van Dijk as the Reds' defensive leader in a few years' time.

Colwill is seen as quick, tactically astute, and has the attributes to effectively cover the job of two players when Trent Alexander-Arnold marauds into midfield, whether as part of Liverpool's old 4-3-3 system or the 3-2-2-3 shift that saw them win seven of their last nine Premier League fixtures in 2022/23.

READ MORE: Levi Colwill — Why Chelsea defender is a better fit for Liverpool than Josko Gvardiol

Colwill's clear priority is to start in a first team next season — and has said as much publicly — having struggled for game time at Chelsea. The 20-year-old has spent the last two season out on loan, first at Huddersfield and then Brighton in 2022/23.

With just two years left on his current Chelsea contract, Colwill could force his club into a difficult situation if he refuses to engage in talks over a new deal.

Speaking while on duty with the England Under-21 team during their Euros-winning campaign, the defender said of his future: "I’ll speak to my family, speak to everyone I need to and make a decision. I’ve got to play at the end of the day, to hopefully get there and go to the next [England senior] camp."

Whether Chelsea can give Colwill the assurances he needs in the face of Liverpool's courtship is not clear. New manager Mauricio Pochettino has Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, as well as Colwill, all competing for places at centre back.