Liverpool line-up makes ‘crazy’ £40m move to sign Guehy replacement

As Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis put together to battle for gold as soon as once more, Liverpool have endured winter woes after a daunting run of autumn type to tug themselves firmly out of Premier League title competition.

Supervisor Arne Slott can be sad along with his aspect’s lack of inclusion after topping the desk comfortably final season, however the severity of Liverpool’s decline will shift his focus to only treading water and avoiding the axe. That is as a result of many individuals are rising pissed off with the Dutchman’s rule after experiencing too many defeats and too dismal performances.

Liverpool head into 2026 in a greater place, fourth within the league desk, however additionally they have an opportunity to create some area between themselves and fifth-placed Chelsea, who drew at residence to Bournemouth on Tuesday night time and are two factors behind.

Defensively, there may be nonetheless numerous room for enchancment, with Liverpool struggling accidents to both Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate. Forward of the January switch window.

Liverpool able to signal centre-back

Liverpool got here near signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in the summertime switch window, however with Actual Madrid growing their curiosity, they might face a more durable activity convincing him on a free switch subsequent summer season.

Certainly, there are a selection of elite candidates lining as much as signal the England worldwide, and with Liverpool at the moment in want of a brand new central defender, it’s maybe comprehensible {that a} alternative could be named.

Based on Soccer Insider’s Mick Brown, that checklist consists of Brighton star Jan Paul van Hecke, with the Dutchman having carried out nicely on the south coast in recent times.

Van Hecke is embroiled in a contractual dispute along with his employers and, given he’s within the penultimate 12 months of his contract, might pounce at any time if FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes are given encouragement.

Tottenham Hotspur even have a vested curiosity within the 25-year-old, who’s valued at round £40 million.

Why Van Hecke is ideal for Liverpool

Brighton signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda in 2020 and after a collection of elementary mortgage spells, he settled into the Seagulls’ Premier League set-up, scoring 4 targets and offering two assists in 88 appearances within the prime flight.

Whereas he actually nonetheless has room for enchancment, van Hecke is tactically much like Guehi, rating within the prime 3% of his place for progressive passes, within the prime 1% for progressive carries, and within the prime 19% for ball recoveries per 90, in accordance with data-driven web site FBref.

Moreover, he has scored three targets in 18 league video games this season.

With an impressive technical skillset and the power to impress throughout attacking and defensive metrics, Van Hecke might even emulate his compatriot Van Dijk at Liverpool.

Van Dijk is 34 years outdated and Liverpool might want to signal a long-term alternative sooner slightly than later. With a wealth of Premier League expertise and the potential for additional growth within the coming years, Van Hecke could possibly be the right addition to take up the place sooner or later, having first realized from Van Dijk’s technical achievements.

In any case, Van Hecke can also be a fantastic defender, with Sofascore recording that he received a whopping 67% of his floor battles within the Premier League this season.

Liverpool have been turned over from set-pieces so many instances this season that it is clear they want contemporary high quality to fend off the most important risk to the general stability of their backline.

Is he a completed article? Whereas that is actually not the case, Van Hecke has been hailed as a “positively loopy” defender by former striker Pierre van Hooydonk, and his model has unimaginable power and athleticism, making him a great match for a membership like Liverpool.

Whereas he actually has Guehi-like qualities, Van Hecke might really develop into Liverpool’s finest defender since Van Dijk by transferring to Merseyside.

The Dutchman not solely shares citizenship with Liverpool’s all-inspiring captain; He is good on the ball, unimaginable within the air and is the epitome of a Premier League centre-back aiming for the highest.

With Liverpool additionally poaching him from the south coast, Van Hecke could have simply what it takes to develop into a brand new model of the Dutch legend within the Anfield aspect.