Liverpool eye Newcastle’s Thiaw as Van Dijk’s future looms

Liverpool have lost a wave of experience this summer, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departing, and their defensive lynchpin Virgil van Dijk nearing the end of his contract. With the Netherlands centre‑back set to leave Anfield next season, the Reds are eyeing Newcastle United’s Malick Thiaw as a 2027 replacement, despite a price tag of up to £70 million.

Replacing departed stars

Salah’s exit to a new club and Robertson’s move away have stripped the Reds of two of their most influential leaders on the pitch. Both players were integral to Liverpool’s attacking thrust and defensive stability respectively, leaving a noticeable void in the squad’s experience base.

Despite rumours linking him with Italian giants AC Milan, Liverpool have kept Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Manager Andoni Iraola has indicated a desire to retain the Netherlands international for at least another year, and the defender has already started all three Premier League fixtures this campaign.

Looking ahead, the outlet Caught Offside Liverpool have earmarked Malick Thiaw as a potential successor, while Manchester United are also tracking his progress. The 2027 timeline suggests the club is planning a major defensive overhaul well before Van Dijk’s departure becomes imminent.

Liverpool chase Premier League star Tzolakis as £40m bid looms

Thiaw’s price tag and Liverpool’s spending limits

The biggest hurdle to securing Thiaw is Newcastle’s asking price, reported between £65 million and £70 million. Liverpool already hold an option to trigger a £47 million fee for Barcelona centre‑back Ronald Araujo, making an additional £70 million outlay appear financially daunting.

Former defender Stephen Warnock warned that Liverpool must have a contingency plan. He told PariuriX.com:

“I think you’ve always got to have a plan in place. I’m sure Liverpool will have looked at that and how long can they get out of him. The interesting part about this is we don’t know all the data behind the scenes. What we often see or hear now is that players are playing and competing at a level that is three‑four years below their age bracket, because of the way that nutrition has moved on, sport science. And they might be looking at that, thinking, we’ve got another one or two years out of him here, at the highest level.”

He added that a higher‑pressing style could extend Van Dijk’s effectiveness, stating, “If you can press high up the pitch and in midfield and take that pressure off the backline, giving him less to do in games, the longer he plays and the easier the game comes to him. If you can protect him, which Liverpool need to do better on a whole by pressing higher up the pitch, I think you get longer out of Virgil van Dijk.”

Former defender Jamie Carragher argued that Liverpool are not currently exploiting Van Dijk’s strengths. He said, “Virgil van Dijk should be higher initially and if he is higher he could then make the challenge there.” But we are talking about a defender who is 35, coming towards the end of his career, one of the greatest players we have seen in that position.”