Liverpool overcame in-form Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield to record their first league win at home this season. The Reds registered their first clean sheet in their last five overall games, displaying some signs of improvement in defence.
Brighton, sitting third in the standings, tested Liverpool’s defence with numerous shots and dominant possession, but Virgil van Dijk-led back four stood strong. Liverpool witnessed a much-improved performance from their captain, but also got an opportunity to scout van Dijk’s potential successor.
According to FootballInsider’s Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool have identified Luka Vuskovic as the replacement for Virgil van Dijk. The 19-year-old Brighton youngster has emerged as one of the top young defencive talents in the world and is attracting interest from European giants Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
🚨Exclusive: Liverpool identify Luka Vuskovic as the replacement for Virgil Van Dijk. Liverpool have tracked him for some time but wanted him to have a ‘stepping stone’ which is Brighton. The Croatian centre back viewed as the “perfect age”🇭🇷
— The Kop Correspondent (@Correskop) October 24, 2026
Vuskovic has been tracked by Liverpool for some time, but the Merseyside giants wanted to see the Croatian defender progress at Brighton with regular first-team opportunities. Now, with the player displaying his raw talent against the best in the Premier League, Andoni Iraola’s side has learned the asking price for the former Hajduk Split youngster.
Pete O’Rourke reports that Brighton believe Vuskovic is already worth £100 million, which is more than twice what they paid to Tottenham in the summer. The tall centre-back arrived at the American Express Stadium for a club record fee of £46 million, replacing Jan Paul van Hecke, who switched to the Spurs.
Vuskovic has been an instant hit for the Seagulls and has been a force behind their impressive start to the season. Before their trip to Anfield, Fabian Hurzeler’s side enjoyed the joint-best defensive record in the league this season with Vuskovic starting every game. After making the Bundesliga Team of the Season with Hamburger SV last season, the Brighton youngster is making his presence known in the Premier League this year, rapidly increasing his stature and transfer value.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Vuskovic is easy to understand as they search for Virgil van Dijk’s potential replacement. The club legend has less than a year left in his deal with the Reds and is facing a contract dilemma due to a decline in his form in the last few months.
With doubts over van Dijk’s future beyond this season, Liverpool are facing a dearth of quality in defence. The young centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has adapted well by winning Player of the Month awards for August & September, but any potential injury to him or van Dijk could expose Liverpool’s defence.
Ronald Araujo, on loan from Barcelona, is deployed mostly on the right side of the defence, and is rarely tested in the centre-back position. The Italian youngster Giovanni Leoni has struggled with a long-term ligament injury since his arrival at the club, and Joe Gomez is only considered a backup option, leaving Liverpool craving reinforcements in the near future.