Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool as Spurs battle against relegation
Micky van de Ven lacks the game intelligence to succeed at Liverpool according to former Reds striker Dean Saunders.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Van de Ven is often praised for his recovery pace when fending off attackers, but ex-Reds and Wales forward Saunders feels that top defenders don't get themselves into such desperate situations, citing former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand as a prime example of someone who perfected the art.
Van de Ven has been linked with a summer move to Anfield as Spurs continue to battle against relegation, but Saunders feels Liverpool may need to look elsewhere.
"When speaking about Micky van de Ven, he is lightning quick, but I have played against defenders like him," Saunders told aceodds.com.
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"I have played against the quickest centre-backs in the world, but it was never a problem for me. Being a top defender is all about your brain.”
"It doesn't matter being quick if you don't have the brain. It helps you recover from mistakes, but you shouldn't make those mistakes to start.
"I want to bring in Man United's former centre half pairing as an example. When Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic played, Ferdinand always came off the pitch with no mud on his shorts.
"Ferdinand would read the situation and get there before the striker, and I am just not sure if Van de Ven's football brain is that good and if he can read the game. At this level, everything is about speed of thought.
"How can I get the ball before Erling Haaland? His brain is fantastic, and I just don't see it with Van de Ven. Ferdinand used to get the ball before me and other defenders were running after me. I am really not sure about Van de Ven and his brain.”
Saunders admits that Liverpool face a tough act in eventually replacing Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires next summer, and Ibrahima Konate, whose current deal runs out at the end of this season. Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck has been linked with a move to Merseyside along with Van de Ven, but Saunders says the challenge for anyone joining the Reds will be a steep one.
“Well, to be honest, I have not seen enough of Nico Schlotterbeck," he added. "I just have to state that if you are playing as a centre half for Liverpool, you have to be one of the best in your position in the world. It is not enough just to be a good player.
"It will be nearly impossible to replace Van Dijk and I actually think Konate is a very good player as well. Of course, he has suffered, but anyone would suffer if they have had seven different right backs playing aside you."