When the time comes, how will Liverpool replace Virgil van Dijk? That is a question that has been on the minds of Reds fans for some time, but with the Dutchman now 34 years of age and out of contract in 2027, it is perhaps more relevant than ever.
Replacing their captain is certainly not going to be easy. Van Dijk has played 353 games for the Merseysiders, winning a whole host of accolades, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League back in 2018/19.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk applauds fans after the match
He is one of the greatest defenders to play in English football, so Liverpool must dread the day when he leaves. However, in signing Jeremy Jacquet, they may have taken the first step to replacing him.
Why Jacquet is so highly rated
It was confirmed late on deadline day that highly rated French defender Jacquet will move to Anfield in the summer. Liverpool beat off competition from Chelsea to sign the 20-year-old, who will cost the club £60.6m including add-ons.
jeremy-jacquet-stade-rennais
Indeed, there is a lot of hype surrounding the defender. French football expert Julien Laurens said Jacquet is “going to be amazing,” comparing his rise in Ligue 1 to that of Arsenal defender and fellow Frenchman William Saliba.
Despite being so young, he’s played a key part in Stade Rennais’ season. Jacquet, who has come through the same academy as Ousmane Dembele and Desirie Doue, has featured 18 times in the top flight of France this term, playing 90 minutes in all but one of those games.
Jacquet
Standing at six foot three, the defender is a colossus, using his long legs to pinch the ball off an attacker and make him a huge asset when defending set-pieces.
Jacquet will be a huge asset to Aren Slot’s defensive options.
However, he is not the only young defender contracted to Liverpool who could help replace Van Dijk.
Liverpool's new Van Dijk is already at the club
The signing of Jacquet is certainly a massive coup, and is the second talented young defender they have signed in the last two years. Last summer, Italian defender Giovanni Leoni joined the club from Serie A side Parma.
Unfortunately, his first campaign has not gone to plan. The 19-year-old, described by football analyst Ben Mattinson as a player with “big potential,” tore his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut for the Merseysiders.
It was the worst possible way for his Liverpool career to start.
He made a big impression that night, too. His debut came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, where the teenager made six clearances, three recoveries and won 100% of his aerial duels.
He certainly showed the talent he possesses and what he can bring to Liverpool’s defence.
Liverpool Leoni
Indeed, it is interesting to look at the underlying numbers of Leoni from the 2024/25 Serie A, in which he played 17 games.
He put up some strong stats for his first campaign in top-flight football, including 2.17 tackles and interceptions and 2.54 ball recoveries per 90 minutes.
Leoni key stats in Serie A 24/25
Stat
Tackles & interceptions
Ball recoveries
Blocked shots
Duels won
Long balls completed
Stats from Fotmob
The young Italian defender is certainly an exciting talent. He’s also tall, more so than Jacquet at six foot five, making him “aerially dominant,” as Mattinson put it. That is certainly similar to Van Dijk, who stands at the same height and is known for being excellent in the air.
Between Leoni and Jacquet, Liverpool have certainly got two young defenders who can step into Van Dijk’s shoes when the time comes.
They are both highly rated, dominant in the air and good box defenders, just like the Reds captain himself.
Liverpool centre-back Giovanni Leoni
Neither might prove to be a better signing than the other, and both could form a superb pairing at the back. Either way, Leoni’s comeback will be just as important as the signing of Jacquet.
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