With just over two months to go until the end of the season, Liverpool is still facing the prospect of losing three of its biggest names. The Reds though may have someone lined up to replace one of its iconic trio.
The futures of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are still undecided, with all three set to see their contracts expire in the summer. As things stand, all three will leave the club for free following the conclusion of the current campaign, which would leave a massive gap in Arne Slot’s squad.
Certainly at this stage, a move to Real Madrid for Alexander-Arnold would not come as a surprise to any Liverpool fan. What lies in store for Van Dijk and Salah though is much less obvious, and given how important they’ve been this season, it would leave Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes with an enormous task to replace them.
Even with both players the wrong side of 30, they are more than proving their worth, with Salah the current favorite for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Van Dijk shouldn’t be too far behind him in the running, and there is no doubt that the Liverpool captain would leave massive boots to fill.
According to reports in Germany though, the Reds may have identified someone to take Van Dijk’s place in the back four. Bild reports that Liverpool is “very interested” in signing Borussia Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck, with the 25-year-old potentially becoming available this summer.
Nico Schlotterbeck has been linked with Liverpool
Nico Schlotterbeck has been linked with Liverpool (Image: Sebastian El-Saqqa - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
It’s suggested that a number of Dortmund players could look to leave the club if they miss out on European football for next season. Dortmund is currently sat 10th in the Bundesliga, seven points off the top four and four off sixth, which would at least guarantee a place in the UEFA Conference League.
Despite Dortmund’s disappointing season, Schlotterbeck has been praised for his leadership qualities, which would no doubt appeal to Liverpool, especially if Van Dijk is to depart. It’s suggested that the Reds would be willing to pay around $54 million (£42M) for the defender, whose contract expires in 2027.
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Schlotterbeck has been an integral part of Dortmund’s side since arriving at the club from SC Freiburg in 2022, and played a big part in their run to last season’s Champions League final, where they were defeated by Real Madrid. Another run deep in the competition may be needed this year if Dortmund’s stars are to be convinced about staying put, with their last-16 tie against Lille still in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Liverpool.com says: Schlotterbeck would be an interesting signing. He’s been named in the Bundesliga team of the season twice in his career - in 2022 and 2023 - so clearly there will be plenty of interest in him should he decide to leave.
Replacing Van Dijk will be near impossible for Liverpool, but if that price tag of $54M is accurate, Schlotterbeck is an option that shouldn’t be ignored. Even if Van Dijk stays, it would probably be worth exploring just to plan ahead.