Liverpool's Future Defenders: Are Jacquet and Leoni Ready to Follow Van Dijk?

Planning for Life After Van Dijk at Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk is now in the last year of his contract with Liverpool, set to become a free agent in the summer of 2027. The question on many minds is whether the Reds have a clear succession plan for their defensive stalwart. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told GOAL that there might be hope, pointing to promising young talents Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni as potential successors.

The End of an Era Approaches

Van Dijk has been a commanding presence for nearly a decade at Anfield, collecting two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy along the way. He also came close to winning the Ballon d’Or, finishing as runner-up. At 35, he is expected to surpass 400 appearances before eventually leaving the club, creating a significant gap in Liverpool’s defense.

Jacquet and Leoni Step Forward

This season, Van Dijk remains crucial as he organizes a defense still finding stability, especially with full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez needing improvement. Ronald Araujo, currently on loan, also competes for minutes in the back line.

Jacquet, signed from Rennes for £55 million ($74 million), has integrated smoothly, showing promise in his performances. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Italian defender Giovanni Leoni earned strong praise in Serie A before an ACL injury cut short his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. He has been sidelined for almost a year.

Can They Fill Van Dijk’s Shoes?

Warnock shared his thoughts on whether Jacquet and Leoni can carry the torch:

“Possibly. Replacing someone like Van Dijk is tough. Both players show potential – Leoni impressed even in his brief time, and there’s good talk about his Serie A form. But when you reach a certain level, pressure mounts. People start asking if they can be the heir to Van Dijk’s throne. It depends on how they develop between now and their mid-20s when understanding of the game deepens.

“Centre-halves need to read the game better and position themselves smarter. Injuries, form dips, or the weight of the shirt can all affect progress. When Van Dijk joined Liverpool, alongside Alisson, it was the final piece of the puzzle in a great team. Right now, Liverpool are going through a transitional phase, which can be difficult.”

Looking Ahead to the 2026-27 Season

Jacquet continues to impress with his composure and ball skills but is yet to keep a clean sheet in competitive play for Liverpool. The team has drawn 2-2 with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in the opening games of this season.

They will look to get their first win when they face newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Friday night as they chase momentum in the Premier League campaign.

• Upcoming Match: Ipswich Town vs Liverpool
• Date: 4 September 2026
• Time: 21:00