Van Dijk replacement? Liverpool consider defender transfer for post-Klopp era

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 30 Jan 2024 15:13 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool have been worried about the blowback from Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down at the end of the season, with a host of stars including Virgil van Dijk looking likely to use the opportunity to explore their options.

Klopp made the shock announcement that he would end his nine-year tenure as Liverpool boss this summer and Van Dijk admitted that he didn’t know what the German’s departure meant for his own future.

While Klopp has urged supporters to remain calm in light of Van Dijk’s comments, the defender, along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, will have just one year left on his contract come the summer, leaving Liverpool on the cusp of a potential rebuild.

Although the ambition remains to keep hold of all their stars, Liverpool know their resolve will be tested by teams who will hope to smell weakness upon Klopp’s departure, in particular Saudi Pro League sides who are likely to make a renewed approach for Salah.

A new contract for Alexander-Arnold is thought to be a top priority for the Reds but Salah, 31, and Van Dijk’s futures are less clear given their ages and the opportunities they may have to secure one last major contract elsewhere.

And it appears that Liverpool are already making plans for the future with or without Klopp, with speculation that they are chasing a new defender in the hope that they can pair him with Van Dijk rather than utilise him as a replacement for the 32-year-old.

Liverpool target Fulham star

The Mirror report that Tosin Adarabioyo could be an option for Liverpool in the summer, with his contract at Fulham set to expire at the end of the season amid interest from European sides such as Milan.

Adarabioyo is thought to have impressed Liverpool’s scouts during the club’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham and the 26-year-old will have a host of teams to choose from should he decide to leave the Cottagers.

Liverpool are already set to lose Joel Matip, who also sees his contract end at the end of the season, with the Cameroonian likely to be out for most of the year with injury.

As a result, they will push for a defensive restructure regardless of Van Dijk’s future but the club will be keen to keep hold of their iconic Dutchman to avoid a complete rebuild in the post-Klopp era.