Picking Virgil van Dijk’s main centre-back partner for 2026/27 as Ronald Araujo makes his case

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One of the most impressive facets of Virgil van Dijk’s time with Liverpool has been his ability to shine alongside different players in the heart of the Reds’ defence.Dejan Lovren, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate have all been the Dutchman’s primary centre-back partner at various times, with Van Dijk able to get the best out of each of them while still looking incredible himself.Following Konate’s departure to Real Madrid, 2026/27 was always going to bring about another change in that department, with Liverpool clearly hoping that new arrival Jeremy Jacquet can step up and start regularly next to Van Dijk. Nobody saw this coming! 🫨 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Pedro Salado However, the 21-year-old has not been able to get fit so far this summer, leading Liverpool to the surprise loan signing of Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo.Araujo is a big fan of Van Dijk, and having had a difficult season with Barca, he will be hoping to nail down a place ahead of Jacquet and fellow youngster Giovanni Leoni.

Here, Rousing The Kop assess the contenders.Jeremy JacquetAll things being equal, Jacquet feels like the player who Liverpool are pinning their hopes on as the next leader of their defence.The Reds spent £60m on him last January – easily the most they have paid for a defender aside from Van Dijk – and he has the potential to be a top defender.READ MORE: Can Liverpool buy Ronald Araujo permanently? Jacquet picked up a shoulder problem in the days following confirmation of his arrival at Liverpool, and he has not played a single minute of football, competitive or otherwise, since February.That is a real concern for Liverpool, and though he may eventually take his place next to Van Dijk as the season wears on, it is clear that he is going to need a little more easing in than initially expected.Verdict: Likely to end the season as Van Dijk’s partner after being eased in.Giovanni LeoniHad Leoni not picked up a devastating knee injury on his Liverpool debut, he would perhaps have already been secured of his place in the Reds’ XI for 26/27.The Italian is very highly rated, and looked brilliant in his only outing for Liverpool so far, but his ACL issue has changed the picture completely.Leoni will reportedly be available for selection from September, and that cannot come soon enough for fans who have been excited by his potential, but he is going to need to be introduced slowly.Like Jacquet, the 19-year-old looks like he is being earmarked to be a big part of Liverpool’s XI in the future, but this season is going to be one of properly learning the ropes, and probably playing mostly in cup competitions.Verdict: Likely to be eased in before potentially taking over duties in 2027/28.Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty ImagesRonald AraujoNobody saw Araujo’s arrival coming, which makes him something of a joker in the pack here.

It will be fascinating to see how his Liverpool career ends up developing.The early impressions are that the Uruguayan is being brought as an emergency option; an experienced centre-back who has proven quality at the highest level, but is not necessarily someone who should be starting every game.If everything goes to plan, both Jacquet and Leoni will end up being better than Araujo, reducing him to a fourth-choice berth alongside Joe Gomez.However, the current issues surrounding both young defenders mean that Araujo may actually arrive as the most likely partner for Van Dijk during the opening weeks of the season. Liverpool will hope that does not continue for the full campaign, but they do not seem to have much other choice as things stand.Verdict: Will get the chance to make his case during the early weeks of the season.The verdictNot only do Liverpool need to look at who partners Van Dijk this season, they also need to be thinking about what happens if he leaves upon the expiration of his contract next year.In that respect, the Reds seem to be planning for Jacquet and Leoni to step up, but injuries and the question marks over adaptation to the Premier League make that impossible to call for the time being.Though Jacquet is best placed to join Van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool’s best defence as the season progresses, his fitness problems are a real concern, and that makes it likely that Araujo gets his chance.The 27-year-old will surely begin the campaign next to Van Dijk, but if everything goes to plan, Jacquet will resume duties in the Autumn, with Leoni hopefully given some chances too.Gomez is another wildcard choice along with Wataru Endo, and there could be times when both play as well.