Danny Murphy has said Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi would be a suitable long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman’s future at Anfield looks uncertain given his contract expires at the end of the season, although it’s expected Van Dijk will pen a new deal and remain at Liverpool into the 2025/26 campaign.

Regardless, with the ex-Southampton and Celtic star turning 34 in the summer, Liverpool will need to begin preparing for life without the experienced defender.

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“Could Marc Guehi be Virgil van Dijk’s long-term successor? Absolutely,” Murphy said in a recent interview with Online Betting Guide. “I think the only thing Liverpool's recruitment [team] might be wondering about is that the fee would be overinflated because he's a Premier League player.

“I'd expect them probably to go further afield knowing the way they work but in terms of watching football and seeing him play, he is a terrific footballer. He is a good athlete and is in a great place in his career. He looks really comfortable with himself and has become the main man for England in his position.

“The one little small thing would be his physical size, I know he's not small, but Van Dijk's a mountain of a man. Guehi is not as big, not as powerful, but he is quick. I think if Marc Guehi was to sign for Liverpool, there'd be very few fans disappointed in that signing.”

The Palace star has been linked with a move to Chelsea this month, although recent reports seem to indicate the Blues’ decision to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan stint at Selhurst Park means a deal won’t now be concluded. Newcastle United was also interested last summer, with reports that four offers - that last of which was for around £60m ($73.3m) - were rejected.

But given Guehi will enter the final 12 months of his Palace contract next summer, a cheap deal for the England international could be achievable. Manager Oliver Glasner said last week that Guehi ‘wants to stay’ with the Eagles, but until a new contract materializes, speculation will only increase about his future.

The 24-year-old has missed just one Palace game this season - due to suspension - and has played every single minute in the league and cup competitions when available. The former Chelsea youth graduate has also earned 22 England caps and played in five of the six games during Lee Carsley’s tenure.