Does Liverpool Have a Plan for Virgil van Dijk’s Replacement? Ex-Player Weighs In on Jacquet and Leoni
Virgil van Dijk is entering the final year of his contract at Liverpool, set to become a free agent in the summer of 2027. The club faces the challenge of replacing a defensive leader who has been central to their success over nearly a decade. Stephen Warnock, a former Reds defender, told GOAL that Liverpool might already have potential successors lined up in youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni.
Van Dijk’s Impact and Contract Situation
After nine-and-a-half years with Liverpool, Van Dijk’s departure will leave a big gap. The Dutch centre-back has played a huge role in the club’s victories, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. At 35, he is expected to surpass 400 appearances before stepping away from Anfield. His leadership remains vital as the team deals with defensive struggles, with full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez still developing and Ronald Araujo fighting for game time on loan.
Jacquet and Leoni: Emerging Talents
Jeremy Jacquet arrived from Rennes for £55 million ($74 million) and has adapted quickly to the squad. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Italian defender Giovanni Leoni showed promise before suffering an ACL injury during his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton, sidelining him for almost a year. Both players are considered possible heirs to Van Dijk’s defensive throne.
Stephen Warnock on Liverpool’s Succession Strategy
“Possibly,” Warnock said when asked if Jacquet and Leoni could be the long-term replacements. “Replacing a player of Van Dijk’s stature is tough. Both Leoni and Jacquet show promise; Leoni impressed even after one game and had a strong reputation in Serie A. But there’s always pressure at this level.”
“They will face questions about whether they can fill Van Dijk’s shoes. The next few years, up to age 26 or 27, are when players really develop understanding of the game. As centre-halves, you need to read the play better and position yourself well. It’s hard to predict if they’ll succeed because many factors like injuries, form, and club situation come into play.”
“When Van Dijk joined, alongside Alisson, it completed a perfect puzzle for Liverpool. Right now, the team is transitioning, which can be challenging for defenders.”
Current Form and Upcoming Fixtures
Jacquet has shown composure on the ball but is yet to keep a clean sheet in competitive matches for Liverpool. The club started the 2026-27 season with two 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. They will look to secure their first win on Friday when they host newly promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Premier League Fixture:
- Date: 4 September 2026
- Match: Ipswich Town vs Liverpool
- Time: 21:00
