Tony Cascarino has suggested that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp should start thinking about replacing Virgil van Dijk.
The former Chelsea player has written in The Times that it would be a “gutsy call” for Liverpool to replace Van Dijk or find a defender who can compete with the Netherlands international centre-back.
The talkSPORT pundit made the comments in the wake of Liverpool’s 4-3 win against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Van Dijk started the match for the Reds, and although the Merseyside club won the match, the former Celtic star did not have the best of games and struggled at the back.
Tony Cascarino on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk
Cascarino said: “Virgil van Dijk, for instance, has been one of the best defenders in Europe in the past.
“Replacing him, or even signing somebody to compete for a starting spot, would be a gutsy call, because he is such a big name.”
HITC Verdict: Time to make a call
In our view, there is no need for Liverpool to sell Virgil van Dijk at the end of the season, but the Reds do certainly need to find a player who can compete with him.
The 31-year-old had a great three-year spell with Liverpool when he was a rock at the back, but Van Dijk is not the player he was at the time.
The former Celtic defender is making mistakes at the back and is not always making the right decision.
We believe that Liverpool need to find a younger defender who can eventually take the place of Van Dijk.
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