---
title: "Pundit tips Ben White to join Liverpool as Van Dijk’s new partner"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/pundit-tips-ben-white-to-join-liverpool-as-van-dijks-new-partner/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-04-07T18:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-04-07T18:00:00Z"
---

# Pundit tips Ben White to join Liverpool as Van Dijk’s new partner

Ben White could be a strong centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The 22-year-old continues to be [linked](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-ace-white-on-arsenal-radar/) with a move to Liverpool this summer, having shone for Leeds.

White is on loan from Brighton at the moment, but could move on at the end of the season.

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/im-told-liverpool-are-looking-at-him-exclusive-sky-pundit-in-awe-of-english-rising-star/), Robinson spoke highly of the youngster, tipping him to be a regular alongside Van Dijk at Anfield ahead of Joe Gomez.

> Liverpool will be monitoring him very closely. It is going to be very tough for Leeds to hold onto him. From a Leeds point of view, you would like to think they could hold onto him but it will be very difficult.
>
> Brighton will want him back and I’m told Liverpool are already looking at him – as others will. If Brighton go down it will be a certainty he goes. I can see him playing for a top-six side next season.
>
> He would certainly be in the frame to get a start. He has served his apprenticeships. Alongside van Dijk, he would grow in stature and it would be an outstanding partnership.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

In some ways, White has almost been Leeds’ equivalent to Van Dijk in the Championship this season. Like the Dutchman, he has [started every league game](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/322036/Show/Ben-White) to date in 2019/20, holding the defender together.

Comparing anyone to Van Dijk feels harsh – he is arguably one of the best centre-backs of his [generation](https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/hummels-van-dijk-is-the-best-centre-back-in-the-world/qnvd5qj25gs191q4prv1lw5m) – but White’s numbers aren’t embarrassing in comparison.

His [85.3 per cent](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/322036/Show/Ben-White) pass completion rate in the league isn’t too inferior to Van Dijk’s ([89.2%](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/95408/Show/Virgil-van-Dijk)), suggesting he could thrive for a ball-playing Liverpool side.

White outdoes the Reds superstar in the interception and tackles stakes, however, averaging [2.3 and 1.7 per match](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/322036/Show/Ben-White), compared to Van Dijk’s [1.0 and 0.8](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/95408/Show/Virgil-van-Dijk), respectively.

While that may suggest Van Dijk is better in a positional sense, it still outlines White’s influence, and he could rival Gomez and Joel Matip for a regular starting berth if he were to make the move to Anfield.

* * *

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