Liverpool READY to sign Darwin Nunez's arch NEMESIS | OneFootball

Whilst Liverpool can rightfully boast about having the best defence in the league right now, there is a legitimate chance that it looks almost completely different at the start of next season.

Both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are out of contract, and the reports of Andy Robertson’s demise might not be too greatly exaggerated with our report that Liverpool requested permission to contact Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

As a result, there is a chance Ibrahima Konate becomes the most experienced man in Red at the back come August 2025.

Rumours of who his partner, should Van Dijk truly be heading out of the door, have been ablaze. A new one has emerged, however, and it’s an old foe.

CaughtOffside are reporting that Liverpool are interested in bringing Fulham’s Joachim Andersen to Anfield.

Andersen isn’t the most welcome man on Merseyside. Fans will remember the way in which the Danish international provoked Darwin Nuñez into ‘headbutting’ him - and subsequently making the most out of it - to get him sent off. It worked a treat.

But, should Andersen put together some good performances at Anfield, I’m sure we’d all warm to him.

Could Andersen really replace Van Dijk?

Statistically, Andersen matches up alarmingly similar to Virgil van Dijk this season. He averages 2.34 tackles & assists per-90, close to Van Dijk’s 2.45 (and more than Konate’s 1.73). He achieves this with a 55.6% tackle success rate, much closer to Van Dijk’ 50% than Konate’s outstanding 80%.

He falls short in aerial duels, winning 59.4% to Van Dijk’s 71.7%, making Konate’s sensational aerial prowess even more essential.

He is also capable in the build-up phase, averaging 4.03 progressive passes per-90, almost identical to Van Dijk’s 4, and 0.52 progressive carries to Van Dijk’s 0.09. This indicates that Fulham rely on him as their primary distributor from the back. With Konate averaging 0.41 progressive carries per-90 this season, it would add a dynamism to Liverpool’s build up that Van Dijk doesn’t perform.

Andersen signed a five year contract as he signed with Fulham this summer in a confusing move from Crystal Palace, reportedly largely due to an increased wage.

And whilst Liverpool may have competition from Tottenham and Juventus for his services, they should be confident that ‘Virgil van Dijk’s replacement’ is the ideal selling point for any player they deem fit.