Liverpool have suffered a devastating injury setback to Virgil van Dijk this week and now a new update has emerged on a potential new transfer target who could soften the blow this month.

What's the latest?

According to Italian news outlet Il Mattino, Liverpool are interested in signing Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae.

As per the report, Van Dijk's hamstring injury has prompted the powers at Anfield to look at their potential options during the January transfer window with Min-jae a player who has attracted the attention of the Merseyside giants.

He's a perfect Van Dijk heir

It is no secret that the Merseyside giants have been struggling this season and the latest injury to Van Dijk will only be even more cause for concern for Jurgen Klopp as the manager attempts to improve performances on the pitch over the second half of the season.

The Reds are currently sixth in the Premier League after 17 outings and are seven points adrift of the top four at present, so a turn-around is desperately needed as soon as possible if they are to have any chance of qualifying for Champions League football.

There is no doubt that mounting injury issues to key players this season so far has had an effect on Liverpool's form with Van Dijk joining Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz on the injury table, so the signing of Min-jae could be a great opportunity to bolster the quality in the back-line.

When comparing Min-jae to the Liverpool centre-back this season the pair share a number of similarities in their output including goals scored (2 v 2), pass completion (89.3% v 89.1%), clearances (60 v 70), blocks (18 v 15) and interceptions (16 v 19), via FBref.

The Korea talent - who was hailed "unbelievably good" and a "rock" by Serie A expert Matteo Bonetti - ranks in the top 15% of his positional peers across the top five European Leagues for non-penalty goals, shot-creating actions, passes attempted and aerial duels won, proving that he is one of the most talented progressive defenders in Europe right now.

With that being said, the signing of Min-jae would be a great piece of business for Liverpool if they can secure his services over the rest of this season by paying his €50m (£44m) release clause.

And as such, he could be the perfect heir to succeed Van Dijk when his time comes to an end at Anfield.