Liverpool back in for PERFECT defender to replace Van Dijk

While the focus has been on the contracts of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool are also at risk of losing Virgil van Dijk.

The Liverpool captain, like the club's star forward and vice-captain is free to talk to other clubs about his future and if an agreement isn't reached by June 1 then he too could become a free agent.

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The media's focus on Salah and Trent is understandable, but the potential loss of Van Dijk would be just as monumental.

While the 33-year-old has been focused purely on footballing matters rather than those off the pitch, he too will be hopeful of extending his stay, while being wary that he may be playing his football elsewhere come next season.

Reportedly, Liverpool have been monitoring a few players for if the situation fails to provide a positive outcome.

Murillo to replace Van Dijk long-term?

TEAMtalk are claiming that Liverpool have Loic Bade, Goncalo Inacio and Murillo on their shortlist of centre-back targets, which could be looked at to replace Van Dijk.

Liverpool have already seen what Murillo is capable of after the Reds visited Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night and drew 1-1, where he continued his good form in defence, making 17 clearances - the most in a Premier League match since 2022.

This comes on the back of previous reports linking the Brazilian to Merseyside which came out during the summer, although the reported £50m valuation quickly became a £70million valuation that put Richard Hughes off.

Speaking on the Benja Me Mucho podcast, he acknowledged that Liverpool were interested and claimed that it would be a good opportunity to make his mark at Anfield.

He said: "I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought. I thought: 'I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I’ll go to a big club'. I had that in my head.

"There’s City, Arsenal as well, who are fighting for the Premier League title. I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either, it would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club."

Of course, Liverpool will focus on securing Van Dijk's short-term future, and the club is confident that a deal can be agreed, but on the off chance that things turn sour, the work is being put in to look at who might be an appropriate replacement.

At 22 years old, performing the way he is for high-flying Nottingham Forest - who have only conceded 20 goals this season after 21 games - he is going the right way about securing a move to a big club and Liverpool could be his eventual destination.

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