Liverpool have been told to consider Manuel Akanji as a surprise replacement for Virgil van Dijk if the Dutchman leaves this summer. Van Dijk will be out of contract at the end of the season as it stands, with no agreement yet reached between the club and the 33-year-old over a new deal.

Virgil van Dijk rarely looks flustered on a football pitch. He’s a colossal center-back, with all the physical traits of an early ‘90s defender alongside the technical qualities required to play the role today.

Liverpool's centre-backs showed against Manchester City why they have a case to be considered the best defensive pairing in Europe