Andoni Iraola faces early Liverpool problem as huge pressure on Virgil van Dijk

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Virgil van Dijk played every minute of Liverpool's season and the World Cup group stage, but with Ibrahima Konate gone and Joe Gomez inconsistent, the Reds' defensive options remain dangerously thinVirgil van Dijk rarely misses a game(Image: Getty Images)Virgil van Dijk has become well-versed in breaking new ground and achieving milestones throughout his lengthy, distinguished career.However, there's one particular record that ought to serve as a mark of distinction for the defender — while simultaneously raising alarm bells for Liverpool. Following the completion of the World Cup group phase in guiding the Netherlands through, Van Dijk stood alone as the sole player across Europe's top seven divisions to have participated in every single minute of the competition, having been present for the entirety of his club's domestic league season.While this demonstrates his remarkable resilience as he approaches his 35th birthday next week, it equally highlights that the Netherlands international is long overdue for a rest.Even the Liverpool captain cannot continue indefinitely.

For quite some time, Liverpool have been strategically preparing for the eventual day when Van Dijk brings his Anfield tenure to a close. Indeed, when Ibrahima Konate was signed five years ago, the Dutchman saw him as his likely heir.It speaks volumes that Konate has since departed while Van Dijk remains the principal center-back within the Liverpool ranks, despite having established a defensive alliance with the former French international that propelled the Reds to the Champions League final in 2022 and underpinned their Premier League title triumph in 2025.Konate's departure, however, piles additional pressure and responsibility onto Van Dijk's shoulders at a point when carefully managing his playing time might well be the sensible approach.

And while Liverpool have taken considerable strides over the past year to begin transitioning beyond their captain, there is a very real possibility that the core of the Reds' defensive line will be both decidedly inexperienced and lacking in match sharpness.Van Dijk is aiming to win the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Giovanni Leoni, the 19-year-old signed from Parma last season, hasn't featured since picking up an injury on his Liverpool debut in the League Cup back in September, while 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet has been out of action following a shoulder injury sustained just days after his impending switch from Rennes was confirmed in late January.Neither youngster has made a Premier League appearance. The 29-year-old has, however, endured persistent injury problems over recent campaigns and made just one Premier League start at center-back last season, remarkably managing only 10 such appearances since February 2023.Gomez previously raised questions about his own prospects with remarks made earlier this year, though the managerial change has since dramatically altered the situation.What remains unchanged is the debate surrounding whether Liverpool needs an additional, more seasoned center-back following the loss of Konate.Yet, considering Van Dijk would almost certainly be an automatic selection when fit, would recruiting another defender prove worthwhile, given their likely limited game time and the understanding that Leoni and Jacquet sat above them in both the immediate and future hierarchy?It would represent a difficult proposition.