Andoni Iraola has found Liverpool’s new Virgil van Dijk, his agent confirms it

Virgil van Dijk has been Liverpool's rock over the last few years,

The defender may have cost the Reds £70 million to bring in but, he's been worth every penny of that amount.

No matter who he's been partnered with, he's always made them look good and, when he has made the odd mistake here and there, he's always owned up to it and has tried to make it up to the Reds' fanbase.

This season, the 34-year-old is likely to be Liverpool's main centre-back again despite the arrival of Ronald Araujo.

Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni will also want to make their case to become the Dutchman's partner but, aside from those three players, there's now another defender who could take over from Van Dijk in the future.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe's agent has said Liverpool are looking for a team similar to theirs for the 18 year old's loan move this season

Ifeanyi Ndukwe has been a bit of a surprise package for Liverpool during pre-season.

The Austrian defender has been one of Andoni Iraola's first names on the team sheet and, even though he's never played for a team of Liverpool's size before, it has looked like he's been right at home.

The 6'4 monster has been one of the Reds' best players in terms of aerial duels and, despite only being 18 years old, he's played very maturely.

However, thanks to Brexit, Ndukwe won't be able to feature for Liverpool until he gets enough points to qualify for a visa.

This means that he's going to have to play for another big European league but, as per a fresh update from his agent, there's a specific type of team that Liverpool want him to play for which could lead to him becoming Liverpool's next Van Dijk.

"We are also talking to several foreign clubs, but right now we need to decide, in collaboration with Liverpool, where Ifeanyi will fit best," Georg Lederer said to Tipsbladet.

"We are looking at several different parameters. First and foremost, it is about Ifeanyi getting a lot of playing time, and then Liverpool are also looking at what type of football clubs play, as they want him in a high-pressing defense, so it is a bit like what you see in Liverpool.

"Since Ifeanyi has just arrived at Liverpool, it is of course a loan agreement without an option to buy, but for now I can't say much more."

Liverpool looking for a high-pressing team means that they see Ifeanyi Ndukwe as a major part of their future

As mentioned, Ndukwe has been a surprise package for Liverpool this summer.

Of course, the Reds expected him to be good otherwise they wouldn't have signed him but, nobody thought that he'd fit in as naturally as he has done.

So, the fact that many different clubs from across the globe are interested in signing him makes a lot of sense.

If things don't end up going to plan for Liverpool's defence again this season and Ndukwe plays enough games to qualify for a UK visa by January, the Austrian could easily get recalled and start playing for Liverpool again.

Obviously, Liverpool seeking out a high-pressing team is a sign that they want the Austrian to be a major part of their future.

And, since he's 6'4 and is a master in the air, it's clear to see why comparisons to Van Dijk are already being made.