Liverpool’s dominance in the Premier League this season under Arne Slot has been nothing short of spectacular, with the Reds sitting comfortably 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal.
However, while the team is on course for a historic campaign, concerns loom over the potential departures of key players, including club captain Virgil van Dijk.
Danny Murphy: Liverpool will need two players to place van Dijk
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has weighed in on the situation, insisting that if Van Dijk leaves, the club will need to sign two defenders to fill the void left by their towering leader.
“I’d be amazed if all three of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold left,” Murphy said. “My gut feeling is that Van Dijk will renew his contract and stay at the club. I know there’s been interest from PSG, but I think he’ll end up staying at Anfield.”
With Alexander-Arnold reportedly agreeing to join Real Madrid and little movement on Salah’s contract renewal, van Dijk’s potential departure could trigger a defensive crisis at Anfield.
Reports suggest the Dutchman may say his goodbyes at the end of the season, with Paris Saint-Germain identified as his likely destination.
Murphy, however, remains sceptical that all three will depart in the same window.
“With Trent moving on, I don’t believe this will have any bearing on Virgil or Mo’s decisions,” he explained. “They’re senior players with their own desires and ideas. That said, both of them are more irreplaceable than Trent in what they provide for the team.”
Finding the right replacements
Murphy emphasised that replacing Van Dijk will be an extremely difficult challenge, urging Liverpool to target two defenders rather than one. He identified a shortlist of potential candidates:
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) – “He’s a real presence, good on the ball, and has an abundance of character and leadership. He’d be a brilliant signing.”
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) – “Fantastic defender with a high ceiling for growth.”
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) – “A real talent, but he may not be enough to replace Van Dijk’s stature alone.”
Murphy also hinted that Liverpool’s extensive scouting network may identify a lesser-known defender with the potential to develop into a world-class player under the club’s coaching setup.
“Even if Virgil stays this summer, they should be looking to sign another central defender. His influence is unmatched, and you can’t afford to be unprepared for the future.”
Liverpool’s attack: Replacing Salah won’t be easy#
With Salah’s future still up in the air, Murphy believes Liverpool would need multiple signings to replace his output.
“In Salah’s case, there’s no one with his output in world football,” Murphy stated. “You’d have to fill that void with two players unless a proper world-beater became available.”
He listed two players Liverpool should consider:
Rodrygo (Real Madrid) – “I’m a big fan, but that deal looks unlikely.”
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) – “He’s underrated, knows the Premier League, and could score a lot of goals for Liverpool.”
Murphy also pointed to Tyler Dibling (Southampton) as a potential future star: “He’s great with the ball, strong physically, and has an eye for goal.”
A summer of change ahead
Liverpool’s squad evolution is inevitable, with major figures potentially departing and new talent being brought in.
The club’s recruitment strategy will be crucial in ensuring they remain a dominant force in English and European football.
Whether van Dijk stays or leaves, it is clear that Liverpool must prepare for a defensive transition.
Similarly, if Salah departs, finding an adequate replacement will be a monumental challenge. With a high-stakes summer ahead, Richard Hughes and Liverpool’s recruitment team will need to make decisive moves to maintain their competitive edge.