Who should replace Virgil van Dijk?
CBLiverpool FC · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitVirgil van Dijk's profile ↗
Virgil van Dijk is a centre-back for Liverpool FC in the Premier League, with 38 appearances and 6 goals in the 2025/26 season. The best replacements for Van Dijk include Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton, who has a fit score of 85/100, and Leo Østigård from Genoa, also with a fit score of 85/100. These players offer a tactical fit comparable to Van Dijk, making them suitable alternatives for his role.
Building your XI? Put Virgil van Dijk in a lineup and get the whole team rated on real data.Build a lineup →Best replacements for Virgil van Dijk
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taylor Harwood-Bellissimilar↗ | Southampton | 24 | €22m | 93 | 85 |
| 2 | Leo Østigårdsimilar↗ | Genoa | 27 | €14m | 93 | 85 |
| 3 | Dean Huijsensimilar↗ | Bournemouth | 21 | €66m | 92 | 84 |
| 4 | Jan Paul van Heckesimilar↗ | Brighton & Hove Albion | 26 | €49m | 91 | 83 |
| 5 | Matthias Gintersimilar↗ | SC Freiburg | 32 | €4.8m | 91 | 84 |
| 6 | Cristian Romerosimilar↗ | Tottenham Hotspur | 28 | €42m | 90 | 82 |
| 7 | Ross Sykessimilar↗ | Royale Union Saint-Gilloise | 27 | €4.9m | 90 | 87 |
| 8 | Edmond Tapsobasimilar↗ | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 27 | €37m | 90 | 81 |
| 9 | Luka Vuškovićsimilar↗ | KVC Westerlo | 19 | €64m | 89 | 82 |
| 10 | Mike Van der Hoornsimilar↗ | FC Utrecht | 34 | €800k | 89 | 82 |
| 11 | Eric Diersimilar↗ | FC Bayern München | 32 | €3.6m | 89 | 81 |
| 12 | Konstantinos Mavropanossimilar↗ | West Ham United | 29 | €20m | 89 | 81 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · last 3 seasons
Why these players match Virgil van Dijk
≈ 100% Virgil van Dijk · strong: Sofascore rating, Non-penalty goals · low reliability
Strengths: Sofascore rating, Non-penalty goals /90, Finishing (npG − npxG /90)
≈ 100% Virgil van Dijk · strong: Non-penalty goals, Clearances · low reliability
Strengths: Non-penalty goals /90, Clearances /90, Aerial duels won /90
≈ 100% Virgil van Dijk · strong: Clearances, Accurate long balls · low reliability
Strengths: Clearances /90, Accurate long balls /90, Accurate final-third passes /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Virgil van Dijk?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) does the closest job to Virgil van Dijk, at 93/100 on profile. Leo Østigård and Dean Huijsen follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Virgil van Dijk?
Yes — Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg) plays a similar centre back role at roughly €4.8m, a 84/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Virgil van Dijk?
Doppel learns Virgil van Dijk's role profile from his 2025/26 season and ranks centre backs across the big-5 leagues and more by how closely they do the same job, adjusted for league strength.
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