Liverpool may well regret not pushing harder to sign Micky van de Ven before he joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.
While injuries have certainly become a feature of the former Wolfsburg defender’s game, he appears to have put that behind him this season and is thriving as a result.
Liverpool, on the other hand, remain in search of their next starting centre-back. Ibrahima Konate looks likely to depart next summer, leaving only Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and young – and injured – Giovanni Leoni.
According to former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz, Van de Ven may be the ideal player to come in and assume leadership duties from his countryman Van Dijk.
“I think he’s the ideal successor to Virgil van Dijk, both in the Dutch national team and at Liverpool,” Boulahrouz told ESPN. “The question, of course, is what Virgil will do after the World Cup. Playing in the Premier League for years has taken its toll. You might long for a bit of a break. And Liverpool isn’t crazy: if you’re looking for a world-class left centre-back and you have the money, you’ll quickly end up with Van de Ven.”
There is certainly some credence to the pundit’s comments, but regardless of whether he would be a success or not, is a Liverpool move for Van de Ven even a possibility?
No reason why Liverpool could not sign Micky van de Ven
The one big problem with Van de Ven since his arrival at Spurs has been injuries. When he has been on the pitch he has largely stood out and excelled, but he played only 13 Premier League matches last season.
This term, something seems to have clicked for the pacy Dutchman. He has missed only 10 minutes of action throughout Tottenham’s 11 league fixtures.
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Liverpool were heavily linked with Van de Ven before his move to North London, and the 24-year-old is clearly someone on the Reds’ radar.
As they assess the centre-back market – and potentially prepare to replace Van Dijk in 2027 – Van de Ven could definitely be in their thinking.
Do you want Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool?
It is true that Tottenham and Liverpool rarely do business, and Spurs will be reluctant to sell to a club who they will regard as near-enough a direct rival.
However, it is also true that a move to Anfield would be a clear step up for Van de Ven. Liverpool are above Spurs in the footballing food chain no matter what the capital club may think.
Having cost £43m less than three years ago, the Reds would have to pay a big fee to convince Spurs to part with one of their star defenders. But Liverpool have the money, and if they are convinced Van de Ven could really replace Van Dijk effectively, price should not be a huge issue.
Will Liverpool go in for Van de Ven?
Liverpool have plenty to think about when it comes to signing one, two or even three new centre-backs in the coming 18 months.
If they weigh all of that up and decide that Van de Ven is the player they want, then there really is no reason they would not make an approach to Tottenham.
You do not replace a player like Van Dijk with just any old defender. It may be that Liverpool are forced to spend a little more than they’d like in order to get an elite talent.
In Rousing The Kop‘s opinion, Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan may be the ideal player to go for in this respect. But if Van de Ven continues to shine at Tottenham, then he should be considered as well.
Boulahrouz may be slightly underestimating the difficulty of taking over from Van Dijk at Liverpool, but it may be that Van de Ven is ultimately the player handed the keys. The next 12 months will be crucial.