Liverpool now have an OBVIOUS Virgil van Dijk replacement

Arne Slot has been excellent since he arrived in Merseyside at the start of the season, but he hasn’t yet had the chance to make this team his own.

Although Slot is now halfway through his second transfer window at the club, he has only had one addition to the squad that he inherited from Jurgen Klopp.

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That addition was of course Federico Chiesa, who has struggled to make an impact since he swapped Turin for Liverpool in the summer.

The playing squad wasn’t all Slot inherited from Klopp though, there is also the ongoing contract dispute with three of the club’s biggest stars, and Slot may have a rebuild on his hands.

Liverpool may have already found their Van Dijk replacement

One of the stars that could leave Anfield for free this summer is Virgil van Dijk, with a Saudi Pro League club reportedly closing in on a deal.

Van Dijk’s departure would leave the Reds desperate for defensive reinforcements, but they may have already found the ideal replacement.

Nottingham Forest’s Murillo was the standout player in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at the City Ground on Tuesday night, and his performance might have been impressive enough to tempt Richard Hughes into paying out for him.

Liverpool have been linked with the 22-year-old defender for a while, but an asking price of £70 million has put them off up until this point.

If you are trying to replace one of the greatest defenders to have ever played the game in Van Dijk however, £70 million may be a necessary spend.

Is Murillo good enough to replace Van Dijk?

The Liverpool captain will leave big boots to fill, but Murillo’s recent performances seem to suggest he’s up to the task.

The Brazilian recorded 17 clearances in the game against the Reds, the most of any defender in the Premier League this season, and he also recorded 15 in a match against Brighton earlier this campaign.

Although young, Murillo has been rock solid for Forest this season, starting all but one match in the league and helping Forest concede only 20 goals in their opening 21 games.

He doesn’t look out of place at all taking on some of the best forwards in world football such as Mohamed Salah and, at just 22, still has plenty of developing to do.

Liverpool supporters will be hopeful that Van Dijk puts pen to paper on a new deal, but many would still love to see Murillo make the move to Anfield to play alongside him.

Whatever path the Brazilian’s career takes, his ability is clear to see and he could be a great addition to the Reds’ backline.

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