Richard Hughes could be about to identify Liverpool's long-term Virgil van Dijk replacement

As footballing relationships go, Liverpool and RB Leipzig are as cordial as they come.

In fact, the bond may become even stronger now that legendary Anfield manager Jurgen Klopp was announced as Red Bull’s global head of soccer - his first role since stepping down as Reds supremo at the end of last season.

Leipzig aren’t exactly popular in their native Germany. Circumnavigating the country’s 50+1 ownership rule, they are the most reviled club in the country. SSV Markranstadt were taken over by energy drinks giants Red Bull in 2009 when in the fifth tier. In the space of 15 years, Leipzig have become one of the top-performing teams in the Bundesliga, having won two DFB-Pokal crowns and qualified for the Champions League for the past five seasons.

While Leipzig are much-maligned outside of their border, it’s fair to say that the rapport they have built with Liverpool has been fruitful. That’s chiefly down to the style of play that Die Rotten Bullen have implemented. Klopp was famed for his gegenpress and it’s a philosophy that former Leipzig managers Ralph Hasenhuttl, Ralf Rangnick and Julien Nagelsmann along with current incumbent Marco Rose - who played for Klopp at Mainz - have adopted in some capacity.

It’s a reason why Liverpool have raided Leipzig for new players on three occasions. There has been a level of confidence that new recruits could quickly adapt to life on Merseyside given the similarities.

Granted, it did not first work out with Naby Keita. The midfielder cost a then club-record fee of £52.75 million as he arrived in 2018 but will be remembered for his perennial injury issues during his five years on Merseyside. Still, Keita won six major trophies including the Champions League and Premier League and it could have been a completely different story had he not been blighted by fitness setbacks.

Ibrahima Konate was brought in for £35 million in the summer of 2021. The centre-back is now Virgil van Dijk’s regular partner and closing in on signing a new deal. At the age of 25, he’s beginning to come into his peak years. And Dominik Szoboszlai was signed last summer for £60 million and has been a regular starter for the most part. The midfielder is still only 24 with plenty of scope to continue on an upward trajectory.

In addition, Sadio Mane - formerly of Leipzig’s sister club Red Bull Salzburg - is an Anfield legend after scoring 120 goals in 269 games. Mane was part of the bona fide world-class attacking triumvirate alongside Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino during Klopp’s trophy-laden reign. Takumi Minamino was also prised from Salzburg in January 2020, having run amok against Liverpool when the two sides met in the Champions League.

So when Liverpool face Leipzig in the Champions League tonight, sporting director Richard Hughes could well be keeping close tabs on the opposition. Recruitment departments are always planning for the future. Potential targets will be earmarked and possible future Reds players scouted constantly.

Anyone who impresses against Liverpool is a barometer that they could improve the squad somewhere down the line. And if they are someone who meets the Reds’ preferred model of being below their pinnacle years with room for marked improvement, Hughes may well make notes.

When assessing Leipzig’s squad, there are several of that ilk. There was plenty of talk last summer about Liverpool needing to sign a new centre-half after the exit of Joel Matip although one did not arrive. But given that Virgil van Dijk is aged 33, a long-term successor will be required - even if the L4 captain signs a new deal he’s in talks about.

So as Hughes watches Arne Slot’s troops at the Red Bull Arena, he could closely cast his eye over Castello Lukeba. Aged only 21, he already has more than 100 senior appearances under his belt and is one of the most highly-regarded young defenders in Europe.

Lukeba came through the ranks at French side Lyon before earning a €34 million move to Leipzig in the summer of 2023. In his maiden campaign, he made a total of 41 appearances as Die Rotten Bullen finished fourth in the Bundesliga and won the DFL-Supercup. In addition, Lukeba also won a maiden France senior cap while he helped the under-23s win a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, playing in all six matches.

This campaign, Lukeba has featured eight times, with the Saxony outfit joint-top of the Bundesliga - having conceded just two goals so far. Per Whoscored, the 20-cap France under-21 international is the seventh-best central defender in Germany this term.

"He is left-footed and can play as a left-sided centre-back in both a back-three and a back-four,” said Leipzig’s former managing director for sport Max Eberl. “Castello’s main strengths are his tough-tackling nature, his pace, his positioning and how good he is on the ball."

Perhaps Lukeba’s biggest attribute is that he is left-footed - a rare commodity when it comes to centre-halves and one every outfit covets. It is a characteristic that Liverpool do not possess and it was suggested that they were open to signing one in the summer. Riccardo Califiori was linked before he moved to Arsenal, while Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is a name that has been mentioned recently.

Unsurprisingly, Lukeba has reportedly attracted the interest of a swathe of clubs. European superpowers Real Madrid are said to be tracking him, as well as Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle United. It is suggested that Lukeba has a €90 million release clause, although that will drop to €65 million in 2026.

By that point, Van Dijk - should he pen a new deal at Liverpool - will be aged 35 and an heir apparent will be a necessity. Lukeba could be one that Hughes has noted down to be a successor, although the reported interest in him may mean the Reds might have to act swifter if they are admirers.