It's done, Liverpool have signed the new Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool have their next Virgil van Dijk, and he arrived in the summer with little fanfare.

What a colossus the Dutchman has been over the years. It's fair to say, the levels of success Liverpool have achieved over the last few years would not have been possible without Van Dijk.

He is the foundation of the project. Before he arrived, Liverpool were a burgeoning side. But with Van Dijk at the helm for a brief period they became the best team on the planet.

Van Dijk's aura, his calmness on the ball and the ability to read the game makes him one of the best ever defenders to have not only played for Liverpool but to have played in the Premier League.

He's simply an incredible player.

Why Virgil van Dijk's time could be up at Liverpool

Still, he is going strong. With this new found partnership alongside Jeremy Jacquet, Van Dijk has excelled so far this season.

But he isn't superhuman. Liverpool know he's turning 36-years-old and there's a reason why they have decided not to extend Van Dijk's contract just yet.

It feels like we are heading towards a conclusion that ended in the same way as the situation over Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.

That means Van Dijk will likely leave Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season. What the future holds for him beyond then remains to be seen.

He's certainly good enough to continue at the highest level. If it were up to us, he would get a contract extension. But Liverpool simply do not operate in that way.

Liverpool's new Van Dijk is here - Dara Jikiemi

There's been a lot said about Liverpool's recruitment when it comes to centre-backs over the last year or so. The Reds have certainly been preparing for Van Dijk's departure.

It's why Giovanni Leoni and Jacquet were brought in. It's also why Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe were signed. These are four of the best young centre-backs in their age-groups.

With them, Liverpool have an abundance of options in that department.

But they are no the only ones. Liverpool also signed Dara Jikiemi from Celtic in the summer, which went under the radar.

The 16-year-old has shades of Van Dijk about him, obviously he comes from the same club where the Dutchman made his name.

And now on top of that Jikiemi has also emulated Van Dijk by scoring on his debut for the Reds. In his first ever game in a friendly for the U18s against Robbie Fowler's academy, Jikiemi netted in a 3-1 victory marking his debut in the same way Van Dijk did against Everton.

Remember the name.