Virgil van Dijk's former teammate picks out ideal replacement for Liverpool captain

Virgil van Dijk's former centre-back partner Jose Fonte believes Newcastle's Sven Botman is the ideal candidate to one day replace the Dutchman at Anfield

Fonte and Van Dijk formed an impressive partnership at Southampton, helping the team finish sixth in the Premier League under Ronald Koeman in 2016. Both were gone within two years, though, with Fonte leaving for West Ham before his fellow centre-back joined Liverpool in a £75million switch.

Van Dijk signed a contract extension with Liverpool in 2021, and became captain after Jordan Henderson left the club. His current deal expires in 2025, though, and he will be able to leave for nothing if no agreement can be reached by the end of the season.

Fonte saw Van DIjk come into his own after joining Southampton from Celtic in 2015, and believes the Netherlands international has plenty of time left at the top. If Liverpool end up needing a replacement, though, he believes Botman could be the answer.

"I’d love to see Sven Botman replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool and I think he has the ability to do it," Fonte told JeffBet. The Portugal international played with a young Botman at Lille as they won Ligue 1 in 2021, with the Dutchman moving to England the following year.

"We won the league together in France and like Van Dijk, he is a monster," Fonte added. "He is tall, very good in duels, he plays as the left centre back, he loves a tackle, he’s aggressive and still young. I just hope that he can continue his progress after his injury and stay healthy, if he does that then I’m sure he’ll be considered by Liverpool."

Botman, 24, was a regular for Newcastle as they finished fourth in the Premier League in the 2022-23 season. He suffered a cruciate ligament injury in March, though, and has yet to feature this term.

Would Sven Botman be a good successor to Virgil van Dijk? Have your say in the comments section

Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)

Van Dijk is the eldest of three Liverpool stars with contracts expiring at the end of the season. Questions remain over him, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Fonte - who is still playing at the age of 40 - believes his former colleague is capable of doing the same.

"I’d back Virgil van Dijk to play into his 40s because although he still has pace, he would be able to adapt in his positioning and anticipate the game even better as years go on," he said. "If he stays healthy with no injuries he’ll be able to play into his 40s, it’ll just be about what he wants to do with his career because it can be very draining to play at the highest level.

"You have to put in so much work everyday. But physically he is a monster, one of the best specimens I've seen. As a centre back he wins all his headers, wins all his duels fast, he’s good on the ball, he's a complete player."

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