Liverpool are aware that they are closing in on the time when they will have to think about a Reds defence without club captain Virgil van Dijk.
The 33-year-old centre-back has looked at his best again this season and is at the heart of a Liverpool defence that has conceded just two goals in the Premier League in seven games.
Van Dijk is looking physically robust again and seems to have got over his injury issues of recent season and has ably led the Liverpool defence under new manager Arne Slot.
However, the Dutchman will be out of contract next summer and there are no guarantees that he will sign a new deal with the Merseyside giants.
Liverpool are in talks with the defender’s representatives but there is no agreement on a new deal between the two sides.
The Merseyside giants are looking at young centre-backs in preparations for life after Van Dijk and the club seem to have settled on two priority targets.
Liverpool identify two defenders who could replace Van Dijk
The Merseyside giants have been scouring the market for centre-backs and several defenders have been on their watchlist.
However, according to CaughtOffside, the Reds have settled on Sevilla’s Loic Bade and Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio as priority targets.
Both defenders fall in the age bracket where they want to shop and they are having great seasons at their respective clubs.
Bade is likely to be the cheaper of the two as he has a £42m release clause in his contract, which is not a big deal for the Reds if he agrees to the move.
Inacio is the more expensive option and it is still unclear which defender the club will eventually decide to sign.
Van Dijk has been a massive player for Liverpool over the years and his arrival coincided with the club emerging as a serious force in England and Europe again.
However, he will need replacing soon even if he signs a new deal and the Reds are working on options to bring in his successor in the summer of 2025.