Van Dijk’s Heir? Liverpool’s Next Defensive Rock Might Already Be Lined Up | OneFootball

For nearly a decade, Virgil van Dijk has stood as Liverpool’s defensive axis, a towering presence who redefined what it meant to be a modern centre-back. Calm under pressure, imperious in the air, and elegant on the ball – he hasn’t just anchored the back line; he’s elevated everyone around him. Without him, Liverpool’s structure loses balance, its confidence erodes, and its title charge teeters.

As the Dutchman edges toward the twilight of his Anfield reign, the urgency to find his heir isn’t just a long-term vision; it’s a necessity. In Arne Slot’s pragmatically fluid system, the next centre-back must blend authority with adaptability and presence with precision. And they may also need to beef up other areas of the defence.

With Virgil van Dijk approaching the final phase of his Liverpool career, the club must identify a successor capable of maintaining defensive dominance while thriving in Slot’s pragmatic system. Analysing Jorrel Hato, Ousmane Diomande, and Alessandro Bastoni’s key metrics highlights the ideal candidate.

Ranking the Best Virgil van Dijk Replacements

1. Defensive Authority & Aerial Command

Diomande stands out with an elite aerial success rate, as he ranks in the 97th percentile for winning aerial duels, which is crucial for Liverpool’s high defensive line. However, his duel success rate is worrying as he falls in the 65th percentile for successful duels with 1.30 tackles and 1.15 interceptions per 90 minutes (43 interceptions, 52 tackles in total at the time of writing).

Hato offers the highest tackling output (85 tackles, 35 interceptions) and belongs in the 91st percentile in duels, but his current rank for defensive actions, which is in the 33rd percentile, suggests he still needs tactical refinement. He averages 2.2 tackles, 0.79 interceptions and 1.62 aerials won per 90 minutes, which highlights that even though he engages in lesser defensive actions, he is competent enough when it comes to defending, especially with him being played as a left back in a lot of cases.

Bastoni, though experienced, often struggles while engaging in physical duels, falling in the 10th percentile for duel success and the 53rd percentile for aerial wins, well below van Dijk’s 98th percentile. With an average of 1.85 tackles, 1.34 clearances and 0.88 interceptions per 90 minutes, his overall actions see him belong in the 24th percentile for defensive actions.

2. Ball Progression & Tactical Fit

Diomande excels at forward passing, ranking in the 97th percentile for forward passes in Europe among centre backs, the 99th percentile for pass completion while boasting a 93.2% pass accuracy. With 2.88 progressive passes and 0.47 progressive carries per 90 minutes, he mirrors van Dijk’s passing abilities as well as tempo control.

Bastoni has contributed with 35 key passes this season at the time of writing and ranks in the 98th percentile for progressive carries and 95th percentile for progressive passes, showing composure under pressure and elite ball-carrying ability. This is where he thrives – with nearly 82 passes attempted per 90 minutes (94th percentile), 5.68 progressive passes, 2.06 progressive carries and 2.81 progressive passes received per 90 minutes, with the last one being quite contradictory for a centre back unless you are Bastoni and are simply an astounding anomaly. Not just any other centre-back, perhaps the most aggressive ball-playing centre-back of our times.

Hato offers 90% pass accuracy yet sits only in the 29th percentile for progressive passes. He averages 4.18 progressive passes & 1.37 progressive carries from his predominant left-back position, highlighting that he is more suited for a defensive role rather than being a marauding left back, like Andy Robertson. Especially with Trent’s departure and a potential arrival of an aggressive right back, Hato’s defensive solidity would allow Slot to utilise him in a back three build-up shape and allow the right-sided full back to take up advanced positions, while Hato can learn and be moulded in the Slot style by shifting beside van Dijk in the backline.

3. Financial Considerations & Long-Term Viability

Hato (current wages – €19k per week) is a budget-friendly, high-upside asset who can be mentored into a leading role. Liverpool are quite interested in acquiring his signature this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano, who has recently asserted on his YouTube channel that the Ajax player is on the list of both Chelsea and Liverpool.

Diomande (€80M release clause) is perhaps the most expensive option and carries some disciplinary risk (2 red cards). Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all shown fleeting interest while the player is contracted till June 30, 2027 at Sporting Lisbon. His current wages are € 29,615 per week.

Bastoni (€231k wages) is proven at the top level with significant international exposure and some sensational performances under his belt, but the cost is prohibitive for a player whose playing style perhaps is not something that is most conforming with the Premier League’s style of play as well as Slot’s tactical philosophy. Plus, the player is happy at Inter Milan and has shown no interest in moving abroad in recent years.

Who Is Liverpool’s Best Successor to van Dijk?

Virgil van Dijk has been more than a defender for Liverpool; he’s been the spine of a golden era. From Champions League glory to domestic dominance, his calm authority, aerial superiority, and elite distribution transformed Liverpool’s back line into a fortress. But as time catches up with the Dutch colossus, the club faces a critical juncture. Without a clear successor, the risk isn’t just defensive instability; it’s the unravelling of a title challenge.

Ousmane Diomande provides the closest stylistic and statistical match to van Dijk’s aerial and passing dominance.

However, considering tactical development, value, and long-term projection, Jorrel Hato emerges as Liverpool’s smartest long-term investment – an adaptable, technically solid defender with room to grow under Slot’s guidance.

While Diomande boasts elite distribution, he lacks defensive bite. Huijsen is raw and error-prone under pressure. Bastoni, though polished, lacks van Dijk’s physical profile and would disrupt the wage structure.

Hato’s blend of versatility, youth, aerial strength, and value make him the optimal successor. With proper coaching, he could shadow van Dijk before becoming a cornerstone beside Konaté.