Liverpool are said to be interested in a move for Brighton star Luka Vuskovic as they prepare to replace Virgil van Dijk in the not too distant future. The Reds have had a mixed start to the season, currently in fourth place and working out the wrinkles under summer appointment Andoni Iraola.

Iraola has been dealing with some defensive issues, and while he is not helped by the absences of both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley through injury, it's centrally that the Reds have struggled the most.

Van Dijk has come in for criticism, and some fans believe Ronald Araujo could replace him when injuries permit the Uruguayan to shift from right-back to his more natural position at centre-back,

Now 35 years of age and in the last year of his contract, Liverpool likely need to replace Van Dijk next summer, and they are said to like the look of recent Brighton signing Vuskovic.

The 19-year-old only joined the Seagulls in the summer, arriving at the AMEX Stadium on a £46million deal, and he has been a key reason the Seagulls are second in the table, just five points behind Arsenal. Vuskovic's performances already have plenty of clubs watching, especially given his age, and Liverpool are said to be one of them.

Florian Plettenberg has posted on X: "Liverpool have Luka Vuskovic on their shortlist for next summer. The 19 y/o top defender is being monitored regularly. #LFC. His contract at Brighton is valid until 2031. No release clause will be available next summer. Current price valuation: around €100m (+/-). Vuskovic is very happy under Fabian Hürzeler. However, his dream is to join Real Madrid one day."

Brighton are notoriously difficult to do business with, and any hopes of lowering that reported asking price will be faint to non-existent.

Vuskovic an incomparable defender

Former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann has said of the defender previously: "Physically, he's already a man – dangerous in front of goal, with great assets. It's impressive how solid he is at just 18 and how he's already a leader in defence. I can't think of a comparable player in the 10, 12 years."

Meanwhile, fellow Croatian Slaven Bilic has said:

"You wait for the moment when you will notice a mistake from him, but there simply isn't one. Intelligence, courage, leadership qualities..."

Liverpool know they will likely have to pay big money to find a Van Dijk replacement. The defender cost the Reds £75million back in 2016, and that was perceived as a gigantic fee at the time. If the Reds want to find a plug-and-play replacement, it's likely they will have to pay another big fee, and these days, such fees start at £100million.

What will be interesting is how Vuskovic plays between now and the end of the season. He has been superb so far, but Brighton as a collective have been flying. The questions will come when - or perhaps only if - the Seagulls have a wobble. Every 19-year-old player has flaws, and Liverpool are likely hopeful they get a glimpse of what they are before pulling the trigger on a deal, But the exciting part about Vuskovic is his age, and the potential he has to keep improving, with this being only his first season as a Premier League starter. One thing is for sure, Tottenham will already be regretting sanctioning his exit.