Liverpool told Van Dijk successor right under their nose – Urged to push for controversial transfer

Everton rising star Jarrad Branthwaite is the natural successor to Virgil van Dijk, and Liverpool should be moving for him now as his long-term replacement.

That’s according to Voetbal International journalist Süleyman Öztürk, who has hailed the Everton youngster as “the revelation of the season”.

Branthwaite has been going from strength to strength at Everton this season after returning from a successful loan spell at PSV Eindhoven in the summer.

Sean Dyche did not immediately throw him into the first team but a series of disappointing results at the beginning of the campaign saw him change tact and he has been rewarded for doing so.

Branthwaite has taken to Premier League football like a duck to water, forming a defensive partnership with James Tarkowski that is currently among the best in the league in terms of defensive metrics.

His impressive performances continued on the weekend when he put in a superb defensive display in the 2-0 win over Chelsea, keeping quiet the likes of Armando Broja, Cole Palmer and later Nicholas Jackson.

His display earned saw him highlighted for praise by journalists and pundits alike after the game and that spread to the Netherlands, where Öztürk was left so impressed, he believes Liverpool should be going all out to secure the Everton player’s signature.

“I think the period in the Netherlands, in the Eredivisie, has been good for him,” he said.

“You mention that footballing ability that was also noticeable at PSV, but I also feel his positioning is unbelievable. In the duels with the Chelsea striker Broja I thought he was very strong.

“Micah Richards pointed him out on Match of the Day, and it was interesting because they picked out exactly the moments that I found interesting, the ones where he doesn’t bite but remains central, just like Van Dijk in his peak.

“That stopping power. He stops and then waits. The timing of his interceptions is special. He has height, footballing ability the timing for interceptions. He’s only 21 years old and in Sean Dyche has a trainer who is focused on defending and organising. He’s developed a few defenders.

“If I were Liverpool, I would buy him as a successor to Van Dijk. I really think he is the revelation of this season at Everton in the Premier League. He’s already leader in a defence at a club in big trouble. The fact that at 21 you play in the starting line up in a Sean Dyche team is not easy.”