Blockbuster: 4 names Liverpool want to replace Virgil van Dijk

Blockbuster: 4 names Liverpool want to replace Virgil van Dijk Liverpool do actually need to think about replacing Virgil van Dijk . They're doing exactly that - and have four names on the agenda. Yes, the time has come. Virgil van Dijk's contract expires at the end of the season and it's increasingly difficult to justify giving him a new one to extend his stay at Liverpool. Not impossible, though. In fact, we'd give him the contract but given he'll turn 36 next summer, Liverpool will find it hard to say that they should commit any of their future to the Dutchman. But again, they might and probably should. Regardless of anything, though, Liverpool do need to consider replacements because a decline is on the way at the very least and there's no need to go all-in on Van Dijk, even if he gets a new deal. Finding a proper successor before he's gone would be ideal, really. Jeremy Jacquet does look like the long-term successor but he can't do it on his own. Nor should he shoulder 100 per cent of the pressure to replace an all-time great. Liverpool do need to sign someone else. And reports suggest there are at least four names on the shortlist. Liverpool's centre-back shortlist Teamtalk suggest that Luka Vuskovic is one of the big names on this shortlist. It's easy to see why. The Croatian was the standout teenage centre-back in world football last season and one of the best in the Bundesliga at just 18. and Brighton certainly agreed with that in the summer. What's especially impressive is that Vuskovic has jumped into the Premier League with ease. He's a regular for the Seagulls in their most impressive top-flight spell possibly ever. Another prospect reportedly on the agenda is Finn Jeltsch . The Stuttgart defender is another youngster who caught the eye and would follow the same path as Giovanni Leoni and Jacquet. over in Spain claim that Liverpool are rivalling the likes of Barcelona for Jeltsch. Another interesting one, again from Teamtalk , is Tarik Muharemovic . He only joined Leeds United in the summer but looked like a fantastic prospect in Serie A last season with Sassuolo. Muharemovic is older than the other two and has started brilliantly with Leeds. A strong Premier League season could easily catapult him to the no.1 sport on the shortlist, honestly, and he's one that all Liverpool fans should keep an eye on. And then there's a strange one. Football Insider claim that Liverpool still haven't given up on Jarrad Branthwaite , even if a deal looks impossible. Everton, after all, are not in the business of selling to their rivals. But we do get it. Branthwaite fits a profile - or at least did a couple of seasons ago - that's hard to find and if a deal is possible (and that is a massive 'if') then Liverpool would be foolish not to push for him.