£35m star a ‘shoe-in’ to start with Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Ben White has been backed to start for Liverpool along Virgil van Dijk.

The Brighton starlet impressed while on loan with Leeds United last season, and Liverpool have been credited with interest in the English youngster.

United have already had two bids for Ben White turned down, said Sky Sports, while Football Insider wrote that it would take £35 million to buy the defender.

Despite having Joe Gomez and Joel Matip in the squad, Paul Robinson told the same source that he thinks White would walk into the heart of defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.

"He said: “White would be a shoo-in with Van Dijk to start. He would start the season and you would not get him out. He did not miss a game for Leeds last year.”"

With just one senior campaign under his belt, that’s an incredible statement to make. Gomez has proven himself to be one of the better English central defenders around and White would have to make some impression to topple the former Charlton man.

A more realistic progression if White joins Liverpool would be six months learning the ropes and proving himself to Jurgen Klopp. It’s never easy to hit the ground running at Anfield, while Matip and Gomez are entrenched in the first team system.

After certain cup ties and a few league minutes here and there, White would probably look to work his way up the pecking order and eventually replace Matip in a few years. The former Schalke man is 29-years-old and has been linked with a move to PSG, so his long-term future is potentially away from Anfield.

Liverpool do need another central defender. Aissa Mandi is a man who has been spoken about, and Real Betis wouldn’t demand the world for their star player.

We shall see what happens next, but FSG and sporting director Michael Edwards’ spending patterns have been to avoid extravagance – although White’s potential could see the Reds take a chance on the Brighton starlet.

But to join the club and instantly slot in with van Dijk? It’s a big ask.