Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk’s future stays a significant speaking level, with the influential centre-back’s contract set to run out in the summertime.
Together with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk is a part of a trio of key gamers who may probably depart on the finish of the season.
Shedding Van Dijk would imply a gaping gap on the coronary heart of Liverpool’s defence, so signing an enough alternative can be important. They usually may need discovered the person ready-made to be Van Dijk’s successor.
Murillo on Liverpool’s radar amid Van Dijk uncertainty
In keeping with CaughtOffside, Liverpool have recognized Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo as a prime goal, no matter whether or not or not Van Dijk leaves.
Murillo has excelled for Forest to this point this season, serving to his facet to fifth within the Premier League standings. Nuno Espirito Santo’s group are second solely to Liverpool (six) for the fewest targets conceded within the division (10).
And Murillo has performed an enormous half in that defensive resilience. The 22-year-old is bodily imposing, athletic and technically sturdy, able to each bullying attacking gamers and taking part in the ball out from defence.
It’s no shock, then, that Liverpool are believed to have an interest. They don’t seem to be alone, with Chelsea reportedly monitoring Murillo’s improvement at Forest.
If Liverpool can’t do a deal to signal Murillo, they might reportedly transfer as an alternative for Sporting centre-back Goncalo Inacio or RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba, who has additionally been linked with Actual Madrid.
As issues stand, although, Liverpool are in no actual want of defensive reinforcement, given their distinctive document within the Premier League to this point. Arne Slot’s league leaders have saved six clear sheets from their 11 matches and have one of the best xG conceded (9.3) of any group within the prime flight.
A lot is prone to rely on Van Dijk’s future and the asking value set by Forest, who will themselves be harbouring huge ambitions after such a powerful begin to the season. Murillo is beneath contract till 2028, so Forest’s negotiating place can be sturdy.
In FFT’s view, Murillo can be a superb addition for any prime Premier League group. At 22, he has loads of time to additional develop and would enable Liverpool to start one thing of a rebuild on the again, with Van Dijk turning 34 in the summertime.
