'Liverpool will be able to find a solution' - Reds backed for stunning swoop to sign EVERTON defender if Virgil van Dijk leaves Anfield this summer

Liverpool’s defensive plans for the future remain uncertain, with speculation growing around Van Dijk’s long-term stay at the club. While the Reds remain keen to extend his contract, the Dutchman has hinted that he wasn't sure where his future lies.

Van Dijk has been instrumental in the club’s success over the years and remains the heart of the team’s defensive structure. His leadership and presence have been crucial, and Didi Hamann believes that securing his services should be Liverpool’s top priority.

In an interview with CardPlayer.com, Hamann said: "Keeping Virgil van Dijk has to be the priority for Liverpool, he is the heart of the team. He stabilizes everything and makes other players better. He's just a rock at the back and he's been for a number of years now, so I think he's the most important."

However, Hamann believes there remains a lack of clarity on whether Van Dijk has been offered a new deal or whether negotiations are ongoing. With just months left on several key contracts, including Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, questions have been raised about Liverpool’s approach to contract renewals.

“It's a bizarre situation because we don't know whether he's been offered a contract or whether he's holding out for more money or what the situation is. So it's very hard to tell," he said.

“But I would find it very bizarre if these players hadn't been offered contracts. If they have been offered a contract you can't be too harsh on the club because the players might want more money or a longer deal so there is negotiation there.

“There's about 10 or 12 games to go and you don't know what's going to happen with them, when are you going to think about a replacement, it will be too late and that probably makes players more expensive. I'm sure they do their homework and that they've got players in mind, but it’s a very strange situation. Liverpool do their business differently to other teams and clubs – but you have to say that in the past and it hasn’t done too much harm.”

Amid the uncertainty surrounding Van Dijk, Hamann suggested that Liverpool could make a surprise move for Everton’s highly-rated defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a replacement for Van Dijk.

“It’s been a while since someone made the move between Everton and Liverpool, I know there was talk of Anthony Gordon recently who does have that blue connection," he said.

“Nicky Barmby did it, but I do think that the gap between the two clubs at the moment is so big that Everton fans would understand if he wanted to go there. The gap is big but I hope that it closes in the sense that Everton improve with their new stadium and try to get back into Europe, we know there is a huge rivalry there. But in terms of Jarrad Branthwaite, if there is interest there then Liverpool will be able to find a solution.”

Liverpool remain firmly in control of the Premier League title race, leading the table by 12 points with just nine games remaining. Their next fixture is a high-stakes Merseyside derby against Everton on April 2, a match that could have added significance amid the speculation surrounding Branthwaite’s future and Van Dijk’s contract situation.