Liverpool told 'ideal successor' to Virgil van Dijk as Premier League transfer claim made

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCFormer Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz has urged Liverpool to target Micky van de Ven as a long-term replacement for captain Virgil van DijkKhalid Boulahrouz believes Liverpool should look to sign Micky van de Ven, labelling the Dutchman as the ‘ideal successor’ to Reds captain Virgil van Dijk. Scoring six goals from 16 appearances, the Dutchman has also helped his side keep seven clean sheets so far this season.READ MORE: Alexander Isak injury twist as Sweden reveal plan for Liverpool striker - 'He is not ready'READ MORE: Harvey Elliott breaks cover as Aston Villa drop cryptic message after Liverpool noiseAnd with Van Dijk not getting any younger, former Chelsea defender Boulahrouz insists that Van de Ven would be the perfect long-term replacement for the 34-year-old for both club and country.“I think he's the ideal successor to Virgil van Dijk, both in the Dutch national team and at Liverpool,” the former Netherlands international told ESPN NL.

I think Koeman has long since realized that Van Dijk's successor is already out there."He's (Van de Ven) really outperforming them. But overall, I think he's fantastic.”Van Dijk signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool back in April before captaining the Reds to the Premier League title, but has come in for criticism this season as Arne Slot’s side continue to struggle.Boulahrouz has defended his compatriot though, insisting he is still world class.

But he concedes that after so many years at the highest level with Liverpool, Van Dijk might be nearing a time when he starts to slow down."Virgil is still undisputed in the Dutch national team,” he said. That has an impact, and you can see that with Van Dijk.