The Liverpool captain is out of contract at the end of the season (Image: Getty)
Jaap Stam has identified Sven Botman as a potential successor to captain , who is yet to finalise a new contract. The 33-year-old is currently in talks with the leaders, but there’s a risk of losing him, and for free this summer.
Since the beginning of the month, these players have been permitted to negotiate with foreign clubs, with the possibility of securing a pre-contract agreement. However, the Reds skipper hasn’t shown any signs of wanting to end his career on Merseyside.
If Van Dijk does decide to leave Anfield, legend Jaap Stam believes defender Botman could fill his shoes. “I rate Sven Botman very highly, he is a very good player and I remember him playing at a young age in Holland before making the step to France and then to the ,” Stam said in an interview with BoyleSports about betting.
“Could he replace Van Dijk? I’m 100% sure that he could. You never know because the pressure will be different at than it is at , but he could be a success. I’d like to see him at an even bigger club than , but at the moment he needs to get back to a rhythm and play regularly with confidence, showing fans what he can do,” reports .
Botman, who only made his comeback earlier this month following an ACL injury last March, has been instrumental in ‘s impressive run of six consecutive league victories, propelling them to fourth place in the table. While the Magpies have grown in confidence in recent weeks, ‘s side have faltered as of late.
The 25-year-old has a big fan in compatriot Jaap Stam (Image: Getty)
They’ve drawn four of their last seven league games, including their last two. While their lead at the top of the table remains healthy, it’s been cut down to four points thanks to ‘s 2-1 win over in the North London derby earlier this week.
With a game in hand still in their back pocket, a win over Brentford on Saturday (January 18) could see reclaim a seven-point lead over ‘s side before they host Aston Villa at home later that day.