Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slotplaceholder image
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool have an important couple of months ahead of them on the recruitment front
Liverpool turned to Arne Slot last year as their replacement for Jurgen Klopp. Prior to his move to Anfield, he caught the eye in the Eredivisie at Feyenoord. The Dutchman has adapted well to life in English football and has enhanced his reputation in the game.
The Reds stormed to the Premier League title under his guidance at the first time of asking last season ahead of Arsenal. They will be looking to do the same again next term. The Merseyside giants have the chance to freshen up their ranks this summer with some reinforcements as they look to be the dominant force once again.
Liverpool should target Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke
Virgil van Dijk has recently penned a new two-year deal with Liverpool which is a major boost. He is a vital member of their dressing room and is still one of their key players. However, he isn’t getting any younger and won’t be with them forever.
Therefore, they need to start thinking about long-term replacements. Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke would be ideal for the Reds and fits the bill. GiveMeSport claimed earlier this year that he was on their radar.
Van Hecke, who 3 Added Minutes exclusively revealed earlier this month is a Newcastle United transfer target, would be perfect for Liverpool as he is still relatively young, has potential to get better in the future and has experience of playing at the top level now. He is calm on the ball and is perfectly capable of playing out from the back. Snapping him up at some point would be a shrewd bit of business by Slot’s side if the were able to lure him up north.
The Holland international, who has five caps under his belt so far in his career, joined Brighton back in 2019. He had previously spent time at VV Goes and NAC Breda and broke into the first-team of the latter. The centre-back initially had to bide his time for opportunities at the AMEX Stadium.
Van Hecke was loaned out to SC Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers to get some experience and boost his development. Upon his return to the Seagulls, he became a valuable asset at the back. He has now made 91 appearances in all competitions and they may well face a battle to keep hold of him down the line.
Liverpool should use Harvey Elliott in swap deal
Brighton won’t want to lose Van Hecke, especially to a team in the same league. They are likely to hold firm if an external offer came in for his services, unless it was money that they simply couldn’t refuse. That means Liverpool should try and use one of their players plus cash in an attempt to tempt the Seagulls into selling him.
Harvey Elliott is a useful option for the Reds to have at their disposal. He offers strong competition and depth in attacking areas and is always keen to make an impact when he comes off the bench. He isn’t guaranteed regular game time though and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave for a new challenge somewhere else.
As per Football Insider, Brighton are interested and this would suit both parties involved if Liverpool could get Van Hecke in return. The former Fulham man needs to playing every week now and Slot can’t offer him that. He would be one of the first names on the team sheet under Fabian Hurzeler.
Elliott may have been secretly annoyed to see Mo Salah pen an extension earlier this summer. That has further reduced his chances of getting into Slot’s team as they play a similar position. The England youth international started out with spells at QPR and Fulham.
He was then snapped up by Liverpool as a teenager 2019. Like Van Hecke, he was shipped out on loan to Blackburn to test himself in the Championship and his time at Ewood Park was a good learning curve for him. He has played 147 matches for his current club now so far and has found the net on 15 occasions.
Time will tell whether Elliott leaves over the coming weeks or remains to fight for his place. Brighton would be a good next home for him and a chance to become a main man somewhere else. He is still under contract though where he is.
Continue Reading