Steven Gerrard names the 'perfect' Virgil van Dijk replacement amid transfer rumours
Steven Gerrard has claimed that Jeremy Jacquet is the perfect player to replace Virgil van Dijk following his impressive start at Liverpool.
Having already lost club legends like Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson at the end of the 2025/26 season, the thought of losing another iconic player is no doubt gutting for Liverpool fans.
However, at 35 years old, it's undeniable that captain Van Dijk is in his final season or seasons for Liverpool, but fellow club legend Gerrard believes that the Reds are in good hands with Jacquet.
Steven Gerrard hails Jeremy Jacquet as 'perfect' Virgil van Dijk replacement
Following the departure of Ibrahima Konate at the end of last season, Liverpool fans were understandably nervous about their defence heading into their first season under new manager Andoni Iraola.
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But up stepped young talent Jacquet, who properly joined Liverpool over the summer having spent the second half of last season on loan with former club Stade Rennais after completing a move worth up to £60million in January.
The Frenchman has appeared in all of Liverpool's fixtures so far this season, aiding his new club to three consecutive Premier League clean sheets from their opening five matches.
Because of this, many fans have already labelled the 21-year-old the signing of the season, crediting him for the improvement in the club's defence so far this season.
And it appears that Liverpool legend Gerrard completely agrees, as he told SPORTbible that Jacquet is quickly proving himself to be the 'perfect' player to take over as Liverpool's defensive talisman when Van Dijk leaves in the near future.
"I love him, I've been very impressed with him from the opening pre-season friendlies," Gerrard said in an exclusive interview with SPORTbible.
"I think he's got a composure and a fantastic profile and he can move. I think there's still a bit of rawness about him.
"But, I think there's another level which he can get to and I think he's going to be the perfect replacement for Virg in a year or two because he's really helped solidify that back four."
As it stands, Van Dijk's contract with Liverpool runs until the summer of 2027, meaning there is just a matter of months to go until fans will potentially have to adjust to life without the Dutchman.
And with rumours linking the 35-year-old to various clubs, including the likes of Italian giants AC Milan, it's feeling more and more likely that Van Dijk could be away soon.
That being said, it's certainly wanted, and in many cases expected, that Van Dijk will extend his Liverpool stay for at least one more season, giving Jacquet plenty of time to continue to improve.
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Steven Gerrard names Liverpool's best player but admits he has one important job to do
But replacing Van Dijk is certainly not going to be an easy job for Jacquet, no matter how good a start to life at Liverpool he has enjoyed thus far.
The legendary defender helped Liverpool keep 111 clean sheets in the Premier League and has won eight trophies with the club, earning the title of the club's best current player in Gerrard's eyes.
But that doesn't mean he's off the hook yet for Gerrard, who explained he still needs to play a key role in helping Jacquet succeed him, whilst also aiding other young defenders like Giovanni Leoni, who is returning from a hamstring injury after joining from Parma in August 2025.
"Virg has been one of our most important signings of the last decade, he's helped the team more successful but he's got a big role to play in his last year or two to help groom this players to become top Liverpool players," Gerrard told SPORTbible.
"He's a really good leader and leads by example with how he plays so I'm sure he's giving all these players the right advice and wisdom.
"I think Virg's next 12 or 24 months are really important because Liverpool have lost a lot of experienced player so it's important we keep a core of them about."
Topics: Steven Gerrard, Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool, Football, Spotlight
Ben McCrum