Billy Koumetio will set standard for Virgil van Dijk replacement

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Billy Koumetio is sure to set the standard for a Virgil van Dijk replacement. The teenager made his Liverpool debut on Wednesday.

The time will one day come to replace Virgil van Dijk. Now, we hope that’s not for a very long time, of course.

But the truth is, it may be sooner than we want after the Dutchman’s serious knee injury. Who knows exactly how he’ll be once he’s back?

Regardless of when it is, Liverpool will need to do it eventually. Van Dijk is near-superhuman but he won’t last forever.

And when the time comes, Liverpool will surely look at Billy Koumetio as their standard for a Van Dijk replacement.

Familiar

Koumetio may never be good enough. He’s only just turned 18, after all, and there’s a long way to go before he reaches his potential.

Still, his debut showed promise and there’s no doubt that he’s a talented player. There’s a reason Jurgen Klopp labelled him a ‘big talent’ back in September.

But while there are some unknowns with Koumetio, there are som certainties.

One of which is that Koumetio has the physical qualities to reach the top. He’s physically dominant – tall, strong, fast – but appears fairly agile, too.

That’s a rarity. Dominant centre-halves are usually fairly lumbering but Koumetio appears able to do it all.

Much like Van Dijk, then. That’s important, as they know a player like the Dutchman fits well with the style of play.

So when the time comes to replace Van Dijk, Liverpool will look at Koumetio and see where he is in his development.

He’ll set the standard as the Reds hunt for that type of defender. Now, they may well find someone better and if they do, you can bet they’ll pounce. But Koumetio will be the player they judge that replacement on.

He’s got a few years, then, to make sure they go with him.