Liverpool may have already begun preparing for life after Virgil van Dijk, just as the club continues to deal with the emotional departure of Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian forward brought an extraordinary chapter of his Liverpool career to an end this summer. Although his exit was not quite the farewell many supporters would have wanted, there was also a growing feeling that Salah was no longer operating at the same level he had reached during his peak years. Now 34, the former Liverpool superstar is continuing his career in Turkey with Trabzonspor.
Salah leaves Anfield having established himself among the Premier League’s greatest-ever goalscorers:
Player| Apps| Goals
Alan Shearer| 441| 260
Harry Kane| 320| 213
Wayne Rooney| 491| 207
Mohamed Salah| 328| 193
Andy Cole| 414| 187
Salah was initially expected to remain at Anfield for the 2026/27 season, meaning his departure a year earlier than anticipated came as something of a surprise. Liverpool have also faced criticism for failing to bring in a natural replacement for the Egyptian on the right side of their attack.
Another major departure could follow next summer, with captain and defensive leader Virgil van Dijk set to leave when his contract expires.
However, Liverpool appear to be in a much stronger position when it comes to planning for Van Dijk’s eventual replacement. The club have already invested in several young defenders who could potentially inherit his role in the future.
Liverpool’s preparations for life after Van Dijk
One of those players is Jeremy Jacquet, who Liverpool agreed to sign from Rennes in January before completing the transfer this summer.
The 21-year-old French centre-back arrived with considerable potential and has effectively helped fill the void created by Ibrahima Konate’s move to Real Madrid.
Jacquet’s opening weeks in the Premier League have not been perfect, but there is little doubt about his enormous potential. His combination of technical ability, physical strength and composure gives him the tools required to eventually become an elite defender. His biggest challenge will be becoming more consistent and cutting out the occasional costly mistake.
Still, Jacquet should not be viewed as the only candidate to eventually succeed Van Dijk.
Liverpool also have Giovanni Leoni, the highly-rated Italian defender who joined from Parma for £27 million last summer.
Unfortunately, Leoni suffered a serious knee injury during his Liverpool debut, an extremely unfortunate setback for a player who had arrived with so much expectation surrounding him.
Despite his young age, Leoni has already demonstrated remarkable composure and maturity at centre-back. Once he returns, he will be determined to compete for a regular place and potentially establish himself as one of the players capable of filling the enormous void Van Dijk will leave behind.
But there is another young defender at Liverpool whose playing style could make him an even more intriguing candidate.
Liverpool may already have their new Van Dijk
Van Dijk remains one of the finest defenders in world football. Even at 35, he continues to demonstrate his importance to Liverpool, producing another commanding display against Ipswich Town on Friday.
Nevertheless, the Reds know they must prepare for his departure at the end of the season.
Manager Andoni Iraola will be hoping that Leoni and Jacquet can develop a strong partnership, but Liverpool may also have another promising option waiting in the wings: Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
The Reds signed Ndukwe from Austria Vienna in January, although the transfer was only completed in August. Liverpool reportedly paid just under £3 million for the teenager, but a work-permit problem prevented him from remaining at Anfield immediately.
As a result, the 18-year-old was sent on a season-long loan to Spanish club Levante.
Ndukwe impressed during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States, where he looked remarkably comfortable playing alongside Van Dijk. His size, athleticism and composure immediately caught attention, particularly his confidence when bringing the ball out from defence.
At 6ft 5in, Ndukwe already possesses the physical profile required to become a dominant Premier League centre-back.
He has yet to make his competitive debut for Levante after being left on the bench during their opening three matches, but one appearance in Spain would make him eligible to return to Liverpool in January.
That possibility could become increasingly interesting if he continues to develop.
Analyst Raj Chohan has already described Ndukwe as an “elite talent” and suggested that the youngster gives off “Virgil van Dijk vibes” because of his calmness and composure when facing pressure.
It is certainly frustrating for Liverpool supporters that a player who impressed so strongly during pre-season is spending the current campaign away from Anfield.
However, Liverpool’s decision-makers have consistently shown a willingness to invest in young talent and wait for their development.
Ndukwe still has a long way to go, but his early performances have already suggested that he possesses several qualities reminiscent of Van Dijk.
If his development continues in the right direction, Liverpool may discover that they have already signed the long-term successor the Kop has been searching for.
