Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk's contract will expire at the end of the 2026/27 season, potentially ending one of the finest careers in the club's modern history. For new head coach Andoni Iraola, this presents a significant challenge. Van Dijk was immediately influential from his 2018 arrival in a then-record £75m deal, transforming a porous backline overnight and winning almost everything during his eight-and-a-half-year stint at Anfield. But nothing lasts forever, and Liverpool have prepared for that eventuality with the signings of Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, two of Europe's most promising young centre-halves.
Future Stars Already at Anfield
Leoni arrived from Parma in summer 2025, while Jacquet, who agreed to the move six months earlier, will join this summer from Stade Rennais' prestigious academy. Both have the chance to step up immediately. Liverpool have elected to delay signing a direct replacement for Ibrahima Konate and will assess current options while pursuing priority targets elsewhere. With neither involved in the World Cup, Jacquet and Leoni are expected to be present from day one of Iraola's first pre-season and will be given the opportunity to prove themselves alongside van Dijk.
Speaking to VivoAzzurro TV before his Liverpool debut in September 2025, Leoni said: "It has always been Van Dijk. Now I can play alongside him and share the locker room, he is an exceptional person and a phenomenal player." Jacquet echoed similar sentiments after his £60m move was agreed, telling Ouest-France: "At Chelsea, I felt there were quite a lot of people [in my position]. Whereas at Liverpool, apart from the fact that Virgil van Dijk is nearing the end of his career, training with him is going to be huge. He's going to teach me so much."
The Current Partnership: Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez is currently van Dijk's partner by default, though that framing does a disservice to his quality and patience over 11 years at the club. Gomez is a tremendous footballer at his best, having partnered van Dijk for 21 games in Liverpool's finest league season of the modern era in 2019/20. However, his vulnerability to injury remains a concern. Since December 2024, three hamstring injuries have kept him out for a total of 157 days, not including other minor issues. In this context, the door is wide open for Jacquet and Leoni.
Jacquet and Leoni: Profiles and Potential
Jacquet is probably the more likely to stake his claim ahead of Gomez. The Frenchman's standout aerial ability—he won 75.5% of his aerial duels for Rennes this season—makes him a close match for the departed Konate. His progressive use of the ball and calmness under pressure also suggest he could one day play van Dijk's all-encompassing role. However, Jacquet dislocated his shoulder days after agreeing to the move and hasn't played for Rennes since. Leoni missed the entire season after tearing his ACL on his Reds debut against Southampton in the League Cup. But what a debut it was: starting alongside Gomez, Leoni won all three aerial duels, completed 88 of 91 passes, and made three interceptions in 81 minutes.
Patience Is Key
Liverpool's decision-makers must remember that a world-class centre-back is not made overnight. At 18, van Dijk was released by Willem II without a professional contract, working as a pot-washer because he had "too many limitations." Scout Martin Koeman spotted his potential, and within a year, van Dijk made his professional debut for Groningen. Even then, a life-threatening medical emergency involving appendicitis, peritonitis, and kidney poisoning saw him lose 35lbs and sign a will in hospital. PSV and Ajax turned him down before he joined Celtic at 22. It took two seasons at Celtic and two at Southampton before he arrived at Liverpool at age 26.
Another Senior Option Required
The modern transfer game increasingly resembles high-stakes gambling, with clubs racing to find the best prospects at ever-younger ages. Manchester United's Leny Yoro and Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen are examples of how this approach can be flawed—both have faced intense criticism that could hinder their development. Liverpool's recruitment team have identified traits that give Jacquet and Leoni potential to rank among the best, but they will make mistakes as they hone their craft. To ensure sustainable development, the club should identify a more senior player who can be relied upon week-in, week-out, allowing the young duo to learn without excessive pressure. Both have shown plenty of promise but neither has made 60 senior appearances. It is essential they are given freedom to iron out mistakes over the next 60 games, without being relied upon as the only options if van Dijk gets injured. Jacquet and Leoni could be Liverpool's next great defensive pairing—but it is simply too soon for that time to be now.
