So it is official, Virgil Van Dijk would be out for some months and Liverpool only have two senior centre backs.
At earliest, Van Dijk would be out for 4 months and Liverpool can only sign a new defender in January. Also, should he return in February, he won’t need to be thrown into the deep end immediately, he would still need a few months to get back to peak fitness.
Van Dijk is regarded as many as the best Central defender in the world right now so no one can replace him who Liverpool can afford but there are players who can fill his void to an extent.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 4")
1. Dayot Upamecano | RB Leipzig
The 21 year old French Centre back has a 41 million £ release clause next summer but an offer of £50 million in January could tempt the German club to sell.
What’s more, Upamecano is 21, a French international and can be three things for Liverpool: Van Dijk’s temporary cover, Van Dijk’s short term (2 years) partner and Van Dijk’s long term (5+ years) replacement.
2. Kalidou Koulibaly | Napoli
The only defender in this list close to Van Dijk level. The Napoli Centre back has been a long long term target for Premier League sides and nearly joined City this summer.
His contract is nearly over and could be available for close to 35 million after Napoli tried to sell for 70 million pounds this summer.
The cons in that he’s the same age as Van Dijk while the pros is that he could form a solid partnership with the Dutch man when he returns from injury.
3. Connor Coady | Wolves
The 27 year old English Centre back is young, yet experienced. A popular figure among his wolves team mates, he’s the captain and would bring leadership to Liverpool’s defence.
At 27, he’s at his prime, a full Premier League player who wouldn’t need any period of adaptation. If Liverpool can pull off this deal, it should be one of their smartest signings of the Klopp era.
4. Milan Skriniar | Inter
No longer wanted by Conte Inter, Liverpool won’t need to break the bank to sign this beast of a defender.
He’s complete, a good passer, a good one-on-one defender and a massive aerial threat.
Liverpool would be getting themselves a great partner too for Van Dijk when he returns from injury.
5. Caglar Soyúncù | Leicester City
Caglar Soyúncù was the player Leicester turned to after selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United.
He proved to be more than a capable replacement and it seems now he’d be turned to, to replace another highly rated defender.
The problem with this one is that Leicester are not under pressure to sell and so a huge fee is required while he is also injured and should return nearly the same time as Van Dijk so this move isn’t happening by all indications.
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