President confirms Liverpool have secured deal to replace Virgil van Dijk

One club president has suggested Liverpool have already secured a deal to replace Virgil van Dijk.

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As things stand, the Reds’ captain will be leaving Anfield for pastures new come the end of the season.

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Van Dijk is yet to agree a contract extension with Liverpool and if he fails to come to an agreement, there is nothing prevent him from signing a deal with a different club.

There is of course, still time to remedy this situation and it’s quite possible Liverpool will in the end come to an agreement with him.

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But sooner or later the club will have to think about future replacements for the Dutchman. He’s going to be 34 years old this summer. Time will catch up with him in the end.

And according to one club, president Liverpool may already have Van Dijk’s next regen ready to go.

Why Liverpool have secured Jarell Quansah as Van Dijk’s heir

When the time comes, Liverpool are in a good place. In Jarell Quansah, Slot has one of the most talented young centre-backs in English football at his disposal.

And the Reds have him tied down on the longest-term deal out of anyone at the club with Quansah’s current contract running out in 2029.

Recently, Quansah has not been himself but that’s natural for a young defender still honing his game. Against Wolves he finally returned back to his best, and even drew praise from Arne Slot for his brilliant performance.

There is an aura of calmness around him at his very best in the same way as Van Dijk which makes Quansah a suitable successor to the Dutchman’s throne.

And it’s not just as saying it. Bristol Rover’s club president, Wael Al Qadi, who signed Quansah on loan, also compared Quansah to a young Van Dijk.

“We lost heavily on his debut,” Al Qadi told Liverpool.com.

“But the next game, he killed it and never looked back, which shows you how strong the boy is character-wise. It is football. There are always setbacks, but I have total faith in him to come back and fight for a first-team place.

“Once he’s in, I have full confidence he will keep it. He is a Rolls Royce of a player — he is so calm, and he distributed the ball really well. I see him like a mini Virgil van Dijk! And he’s learning from the best.

“It’s not just me saying this — Jurgen Klopp started him, then he came into the England fold and nearly made the Euros. Forget me, I’m not an expert. But the real experts see something in him. All I can say is Liverpool have a good one there.”