Despite the signing of Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet, Liverpool are still likely to need another centre-back signing this summer.
The Reds are currently expected to lose Ibrahima Konate once his contract expires at the end of the season, and while Jacquet could replace his countryman, a more experienced option may be needed.
Enter Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who is yet to sign an extension to his Seagulls’ contract, which runs out in 2027.
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Curtis Jones points to the Anfield stand in celebration during Liverpool's FA Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion
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Van Hecke was in the Brighton team who were soundly beaten 3-0 by Liverpool on Saturday, but despite the heavy scoreline, the 25-year-old can be pleased with his night’s work.
Spotted chatting with Arne Slot on the Anfield pitch at full-time, there is a sense that this could have been an audition for Van Hecke. If it was, he certainly passed it.
Jan Paul van Hecke is good enough for Liverpool
It may sound strange to advocate for the signing of a centre-back who has been on the wrong end of three goals against Liverpool, but no blame could be attached to Van Hecke for Brighton losing on Saturday.
The Dutchman completed 39 out of his 42 passes, with one outside-of-the-boot ping to Ferdi Kadioglu leading to Ally McCoist calling him ‘magic’ while commentating for TNT Sports.
Arne Slot chats with Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke after Liverpool's win over the Seagulls in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield.
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
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Van Hecke was good at winning his duels too, coming out on top in two out of three on-the-ground battles with Liverpool players.
Although he did not contest an aerial duel, the Netherlands international did make one block, two clearances and a further headed clearance as Brighton came under pressure.
Van Hecke was also looking to be progressive with the ball, something that is required from Liverpool centre-backs, making eight passes into the final third, while also hitting the mark with seven out of eight long passes.
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Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates in front of the Kop after scoring in Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round match against Brighton at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Charlotte Wilson/Offside).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Charlotte Wilson/Offside
He was not perfect, hence the scoreline, but in his 72 minutes on the pitch, Van Hecke showed why he should be in the conversation of Liverpool’s recruitment staff in the lead up to the summer window.
How possible is a move for Van Hecke?
With Liverpool guaranteed to sign at least one defender this summer in Jacquet, the arrival of another will be dependent on departures.
The Reds could just about get away with swapping Konate for Jacquet, but that would leave the injury-prone Joe Gomez as the only senior option beside Virgil van Dijk and young Giovanni Leoni.
As a result, the addition of someone of Van Hecke’s ilk would still make a lot of sense. He could be the Konate replacement while allowing Jacquet and Leoni time to adapt and develop.
If Gomez leaves as well, which is a possibility, Liverpool absolutely must enter the market, with Van Hecke’s contract situation making him an attractive target.
Brighton are tough negotiators, and they won’t want to lose their 2024/25 player of the year on the cheap, but they will also be acutely aware that it may be their last chance to make any kind of money at all on him. Looking set to resist a contract, Van Hecke will likely be on the market. After what they saw at Anfield this weekend, Liverpool should be at the table.
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