Virgil Van Dijk
Liverpool are currently facing a huge decision over the future of captain Virgil van Dijk.
The Netherlands international is now into his 10th season as a Liverpool player, and he has been a crucial part of their two Premier League title wins in that time, as well as their Champions League triumph in 2019.
However, the 35-year-old's contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, and the Reds have shown that they aren't afraid to make ruthless decisions on some of their older players, with Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah leaving the club during the summer.
New sporting director Julian Ward and manager Andoni Iraola now face a decision on two more of their stalwarts in Van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson, and whether they are going to remain on Merseyside beyond this campaign or not.
Van Dijk is still the club's leader, but he is also beginning to produce some worrying performances, not least in the Champions League.
The Dutchman came under scrutiny following 'nightmare' moments for him in the 4-3 win against Villarreal, as he looked far from convincing as the hosts fell 2-0 behind to the La Liga outfit on Tuesday night.
Key Events Timeline
January 2018 — Liverpool signed Van Dijk from Southampton for a world-record £75m defender fee.
June 2019 — Van Dijk won Champions League, named man of the match against Tottenham in Madrid.
October 2020 — Van Dijk suffered an ACL injury at Everton, requiring knee surgery.
July 2023 — Liverpool appointed Van Dijk captain after Jordan Henderson's departure.
April 2025 — Van Dijk signed a new two-year Liverpool contract until 2027.
That followed on from Liverpool instantly looking fragile defensively when he and Joe Gomez came on as substitutes in the 6-3 win at LASK the previous week.
Van Dijk, one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history, is clearly still an important player for the Reds and Iraola this season, but they will have to consider the impact he can make beyond that, and how many years they would offer him as part of a new contract proposal.
What is clear is that Liverpool chiefs have been preparing for the eventual exit of the Dutchman, especially when you look at Jeremy Jacquet's performances this term.
But he isn't the only player they have already found for their defence for years to come, following the addition of Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Ndukwe is Like a Mini Van Dijk
Action Images via Reuters
Liverpool completed the signing of Ndukwe from Austria Vienna in the summer, and he quickly completed a season-long loan switch to Levante.
The 18-year-old is already making a big impact for the LaLiga outfit, and he started as they beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on Wednesday night.
It was the towering centre-back's third successive league start for Levante, and the young Austrian continues to go from strength to strength and hasn't looked out of place at all in senior football in the Spanish top flight.
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Ndukwe vs Athletic Bilbao
Minutes
Touches
Accurate passes
Pass accuracy
Defensive contributions
Accurate long balls
Duels won
The impressive Austrian is two-footed and he shares a lot of the same traits as Van Dijk, given he is good on the ball and is able to accurately play long balls.
Ndukwe is a good defender too though, and he looks to have everything to be a starting centre-back for Liverpool for many years.
Whether that opportunity comes as early as next season remains to be seen, but he will be looking at Jeremy Jacquet's emergence this term with interest.
The 21-year-old officially joined up with Liverpool in the summer after the move was agreed in January, and he has wasted no time in establishing himself as the first-choice option alongside Van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
Jacquet has been the Reds' most impressive defender so far this term, and Ndukwe will believe that he can follow in the Frenchman's footsteps if he continues to have a strong campaign with Levante.
Ndukwe is a hugely exciting prospect, and it's no wonder that Liverpool fans are excited to finally see him in a red shirt.