Supreme Virgil van Dijk successor in initial Liverpool TALKS

Liverpool have taken the first step towards an incredible deal for a Virgil van Dijk successor. Richard Hughes aiming sky high.

Liverpool have a difficult decision to make within the next two years. Virgil van Dijk will need replacing - but how do they do that?

In fact, do they do that? Van Dijk's contract expires in 2027 and there's a semi-reasonable chance that he remains the best possible option in his position.

He'd have just turned 36 and it seems unlikely but even a 'past it' Van Dijk is going to be better than 90 per cent of the options out there. That's just how high his standards are. But we'll see.

Liverpool certainly need to have a look at other options and, potentially, bring them in to play alongside the captain. Especially if Ibrahima Konate does indeed leave the club.

That brings about one very interesting option that Liverpool are now in talks over.

Nico Schlotterbeck to Liverpool?

The centre-back market is quite crazy right now, as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid join Liverpool in looking at top-quality options. Of course, one of those options for Madrid is Konate.

But all three giants are in the race for elite centre-backs and one of those is Borussia Dortmund superstar Nico Schlotterbeck. The German is one of the very best defenders in the world, quite honestly, and will enter the final year of his contract next summer.

Dortmund are doing all they can to get him to renew - and reports suggest they can be very hopeful there - but others will attempt to turn his head.

One of those is Liverpool, with DaveOCKop claiming there have been initial talks with his representatives to sound out a move. It makes complete sense as there might not be a better possible option for the Reds if Dortmund decide to sell in 2026.

Schlotterbeck is an imperious centre-back, one who can pass with the best of them but also boast brilliant defensive success rates. He's rarely beaten one-on-one, while his aerial prowess has been remarkable at times.

A 75 per cent success rate seen at Freiberg a few years ago is exactly what Liverpool need to replace Van Dijk and something very few can pull off while still being comfortable on the ball. It's why Schlotterbeck really would be up there with the best-possible options to replace Van Dijk.

Liverpool are looking to see if they can make it happen and quite honestly, it's one of the most exciting possible signings they could make right now.

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