At the end of Liverpool's engrossing 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal last weekend, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk let out a slightly exasperated sigh in his post-match interview.
However, the 33-year-old could also afford a wry smile when his contract situation was brought up for the umpteenth time; after all, Liverpool's inspirational captain possibly leaving for nothing in 2025 is an unavoidable, hot-button topic.
Van Dijk had already sent tongues wagging when he confirmed earlier this month that his representatives were in discussion with the club over his future, and he affirmed at the Emirates that he was still "calm" about the situation.
Nevertheless, Liverpool have inevitably been linked with an array of top-quality centre-backs who could fill Van Dijk's enormous shoes in the event that the Dutchman does not pen fresh terms; Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio are two names that have been mooted on numerous occasions.
Earlier this week, however, it was reported that Liverpool had taken an interest in Nottingham Forest's Brazilian star Murillo, although they may have to fend off free-spending Chelsea to bring him to Anfield.
The stats do not lie: Would Murillo be a good Van Dijk replacement?
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Van Dijk and Murillo can proudly boast to be integral parts of the two best defences in the Premier League this season, as the Dutchman's side have let in just five goals while keeping five clean sheets; Forest have only shipped seven and have recorded three shut-outs.
Both Van Dijk and Murillo - who is 11 years the Liverpool captain's junior - have also played every minute of the current top-flight campaign, although the latter is yet to chip in with a direct goal involvement, while Van Dijk scored his first of the campaign at the Emirates.
The Liverpool board will not pay too much attention to attacking metrics when searching for a Van Dijk successor, though - even if the Netherlands international is always a threat in the opposition box - and some of Murillo's defensive statistics in 2024-25 significantly trump the Dutchman's.
However, the Brazilian's higher number of tackles (nine to five), blocks (15 to two) and clearances (52 to 49) are representative of Forest rather than Murillo as a whole, as the South American is of course required to do more defending for the Tricky Trees than Van Dijk is with a Liverpool side who dominate matches.
Interestingly, Van Dijk ranks significantly higher than Murillo on interceptions - 19 to five - but the Forest man has eight progressive carries to Van Dijk's one, showcasing a bit of the Joel Matip about him.
The key statistic that makes Murillo an unideal Van Dijk successor
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When Sports Mole asked Liverpool expert David Lynch whether Murillo could be the heir to the Van Dijk throne, he suggested that the South American may not be the best option due to his inferior aerial duels win rate.
The towering 6ft 4in Van Dijk always ranks near the top of the Premier League charts for off-the-ground duels won and has triumphed in 36 such battles in the 2024-25 campaign, putting him second in the charts behind Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (43).
The 33-year-old has only lost 14 aerial duels to put his win rate at 72%, while Murillo - who is a few inches shorter than the Reds skipper at 6ft - has both won seven and lost seven for a 50% success rate.
Click on the video above to view Lynch's verdict on Liverpool signing Murillo, as well as whether the 22-year-old could work in tandem with Van Dijk's current partner Ibrahima Konate.
Ben Knapton
