Liverpool want defensive signings this summer season and LFC journalist Neil Jones has named Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven as one identify value watching.
The gifted 22-year-old has impressed in his time within the Bundesliga and Jones has talked about him as somebody who might completely match the invoice for Jurgen Klopp’s facet as he coated a wide range of LFC switch information matters within the first version of his unique CaughtOffside column.
Van de Ven suits the age profile Liverpool are inclined to go for, and Jones thinks it’s very important that the membership doesn’t find yourself going into the brand new season with out extra cowl on the again.
The Merseyside giants have additionally been linked with the likes of Kim Min-jae and Jurrien Timber, however Jones is much less satisfied by these two as being ultimate to fit into Klopp’s system.
“Jurrien Timber is somebody who’s been linked not too long ago, although it now seems to be like Arsenal are engaged on that deal, whereas there was additionally previous curiosity from Manchester United. From the conversations I’ve had, I’ve not been given an excessive amount of encouragement about him,” Jones mentioned.
“When you take a look at the centre-backs Liverpool have had, Timber would characterize a little bit of a change; in the event you take a look at the likes of Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool wish to have taller, extra bodily gamers, however with tempo as properly. They wish to play a excessive line and they also want that restoration tempo and aerial dominance, so I believe recruiting somebody like Timber would characterize a little bit of a change of tack.”
He added: “There’s a must signal a defender, although, whether or not that’s a specialist right-back or somebody who can play in two positions – Van Dijk, Matip and Konate don’t have flawless harm data, so it might be a raffle going into the brand new season with out including yet one more to that space of the squad.
“There have been additionally hyperlinks with Kim Min-jae after his excellent kind at Napoli, however once more it’s not fairly the impression I used to be getting because of the age of the participant. He’s clearly had this example with the discharge clause in his contract, and that’s at all times going to draw consideration, however it now seems to be like he’s going to Bayern Munich. I believe Liverpool would nonetheless at all times desire a younger participant, somebody extra within the Konate mould – somebody who’s not essentially reached their full potential but, however who’s of their early 20s with their peak nonetheless to return, whereas Kim is 26, turning 27 subsequent season.
“In fact, Kim’s a prime participant, so followers may ask if it’s not value making an exception infrequently, however Liverpool are fairly strict on this, and the one time they’ve actually finished issues in a different way was with Thiago Alcantara. They clearly noticed a chance to signal him from Bayern and make a little bit of an announcement simply after they received the league. However we undoubtedly don’t see that too typically.
“A reputation to look out for might be Micky van de Ven at Wolfsburg. He’s 22 years previous, tall, bodily imposing, left-sided, and somebody who seems to be like having a giant future with the Dutch nationwide group. I believe he’s somebody who’d make much more sense for Liverpool than a Kim Min-jae or one other extra confirmed identify.”
Jones additionally checked out who Liverpool might be focusing on in midfield this summer season as two extra signings might comply with Alexis Mac Allister into Anfield.
