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
3. Goncalo Inacio - Sporting CP
Inacio is one of the best passing centre-backs in Europe, even at just age 22. The Sporting defender has shone under Ruben Amorim, with the club capturing just its second Liga Portugal title since 2001 this past season.
The Portuguese senior international has quickly grown into one of the best left-footed centre-backs in Europe. In Amorim's back three, Inacio typically plays in the centre, allowing him to ping passes easily to both the left and right flanks of the pitch.
According to Football Reference, Inacio ranks in the 99th percentile among short passes completed, the 99th percentile in medium passes completed, and the 74th percentile in long passes completed. He also ranks in the 99th percentile in passes into the final third by a centre-back. Inacio's ability to be involved in the build-up and move forward means that, like Hincapie, most of his defensive work is breaking up counter-attacks in the middle of the pitch.
Inacio would undoubtedly be the most expensive to sign out of the bunch, which is no surprise given the hype surrounding the Sporting centre-back.
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