Three centre-backs Liverpool can sign to be Virgil van Dijk's eventual successor
- Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk will turn 33 this summer
- The Reds will need to find a successor for the Dutch defender soon
- So, who can eventually take over van Dijk’s spot?
By Evan Curnew
2. Willian Pacho - Frankfurt
Another Ecuadorian centre-back from the Bundesliga. This time, a much more defensively-minded player, often playing in a back-three with Frankfurt. Pacho sometimes defends out-wide for Frankfurt, allowing wing-back Philipp Max to get forward more and have Pacho effectively act as a full-back. Frankfurt's defensive line allows Pacho to move forward in possession, although not to the extent you would see with Hincapie.
Compared to Hincapie, Pacho is a lot likelier to try the long ball, but in the Bundesliga, he's not been particularly successful at it. Pacho plays his best football when he's tasked with getting busy defensively in the middle of the pitch and in his own half. Being a strong tackler, combined with having a knack for blocking pass lanes and intercepting the ball, has allowed Pacho to become a top defender in the Bundesliga.
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