Former Liverpool midfielder Didier Hamann believes that Chelsea defender Levi Colwill could be the next Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk remains Liverpool’s most important and consistent central defender, but Jurgen Klopp might be tempted to bring in new defensive recruits in order to improve on last year’s showing, when they missed out on the Champions League for the coming season after a string of indifferent performances set them back.
Colwill returned to Chelsea after a year with Brighton & Hove Albion where he impressed on loan. The south coast side want him on a permanent basis, but Mauricio Pochettino has not necessarily decided how or whether to include him in the first team at Stamford Bridge.
Recent reports suggested that Liverpool could rival Brighton for the signing of the 20-year-old, and Hamann thinks a swoop would make sense.
Speaking to Lord Ping, he said: "Levi Colwill can be Virgil van Dijk's successor. Colwill is the type of player Liverpool could really do well. He plays like a young player with an experienced head on his shoulders, he always seems to make good decisions.
“Van Dijk hasn't been the same player since his big injury, it remains to be seen if he improves this season. Colwill would improve Liverpool. When Liverpool won the Champions League, it was their defence that set them apart from the rest of the teams, but last season they conceded far too many goals. Colwill would be a huge signing for Liverpool."