Micky van de Ven to Liverpool is a story that continues to gain attention as Spurs drift ever closer to relegation.
With Virgil van Dijk entering the twilight years of his time on Merseyside, his fellow countryman has been identified as the ideal replacement. I personally think Liverpool should target Djed Spence if they are shopping in North London.
That aside, Tim Sherwood thinks he would be a brilliant option to replace the current captain.
Is it time for Liverpool to move on from Ibrahima Konate?
Would you be too disappointed to see him leave this summer?
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool FC looks on after the match with Galatasaray
Credit: Burak Basturk/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
He does float another name, though admits it’s a bit far-fetched. That player is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Tim Sherwood thinks Jarrad Branthwaite and Micky van de Ven could replace Van Dijk
Speaking to James McAteer on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Tim Sherwood identified the only two defenders he believes are capable of filling Virgil van Dijk’s boots at Anfield.
While Tottenham’s Van de Ven is the primary link, Sherwood admitted there is one other standout candidate, though his current club makes a deal nearly impossible.
“I think [Van de Ven] is the obvious choice for that left side there. There’s not many about… there is one other, Branthwaite, but he ain’t going to Liverpool.
Jarrad Branthwaite pictured playing for Everton in a Premier League game.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
“So it opens up the door there for Micky to go in there as a Liverpool player. I think he’d do well for him. I really do.”
The reason Sherwood is so dismissive of a Branthwaite move is obvious. Direct transfers between Everton and Liverpool are incredibly rare — the last player to move directly from Goodison Park to Anfield was Abel Xavier in 2002. Before that, you have to look back to Nick Barmby in 2000.
Liverpool were interested in Branthwaite when his expiring contract tipped the negotiating scales, but he committed his future to our Merseyside rivals.
Given his status as Everton’s prize asset, the fan backlash would likely make any potential negotiations a non-starter, leaving Van de Ven as the only realistic elite alternative in the Premier League.
If you could buy ANY Premier League player right now, who are you signing for Liverpool this summer?
Declan Rice runs with the ball as Curtis Jones chases him during Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at Anfield.
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
James McAteer says Arne Slot will be at Liverpool next season
To round out their discussion, the conversation shifted from the defence to the dugout.
Former Red Jason McAteer offered a definitive stance on the Liverpool managerial situation, dismissing the idea of the Dutchman being sacked.
He said: “Slot, at the start of next season, Slot.”
That is the likely outcome, though Slot could be sacked before then if he doesn’t get his team switched on for the high-stakes nature of the fixtures left on the calendar.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox