Liverpool are being advised to make a bold move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, following their failure to secure the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
Defensive Search Intensifies After Guehi Setback
The Reds came close to signing Guehi for £35 million in the final stages of the summer transfer window, only for Crystal Palace to block the move. The England international is now finalising a £20 million transfer to Manchester City this weekend, having missed Palace's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.
This development leaves Liverpool's need for a new central defender acute, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate. The French international's contract is set to expire at the end of the current season, increasing the urgency for reinforcements.
Cundy's High-Praise for Van de Ven
Chelsea TV commentator and talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy has publicly urged Liverpool to target Van de Ven as the ideal solution. The Dutch defender, who joined Spurs from Wolfsburg in a £43 million deal in 2023, has impressed with his exceptional pace and composure.
'Here’s the thing, if I’m Liverpool I’m going after Van de Ven,' Cundy stated on talkSPORT following Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield on Saturday. 'That’s what I would do, I would absolutely go all out. They lost out on Guehi, Van de Ven is the next big thing at centre-half.'
Cundy emphasised the player's suitability for Liverpool's tactical approach, adding: 'He’s perfect for Liverpool if they want to play a high line. I’m going straight after him.'
Slot Addresses Fan Frustration
The draw with Burnley, which prompted audible frustration from sections of the Anfield crowd, was also addressed by manager Arne Slot. The Dutch coach said he understood the supporters' disappointment.
'In my head it wasn’t a boo, but in my head it was frustration as well,' Slot explained. 'We are Liverpool and we play against Burnley... if we, as Liverpool, are not disappointed anymore by having a draw at home against Burnley then something is completely wrong.'
Slot confirmed he shared the fans' sentiment, stating: 'I completely understand the frustration. I can tell you I have the same and the players definitely have the same frustration as the fans have.'
With the January transfer window offering an opportunity to strengthen, the pressure is on Liverpool's recruitment team to act, with Van de Ven now a prominently suggested target.
