Liverpool are currently the Premier League champions, but they are clearly not becoming complacent. Significant signings like Florian Wirtz (£116m), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), and Milos Kerkez (£40m) indicate a proactive approach. Liverpool`s defence, which was the second-best in the league in 2024/25, is set for changes next season.
Kerkez appears likely to challenge Andy Robertson for the left-back spot, while Frimpong will compete with Conor Bradley on the right flank.
With Giorgi Mamardashvili also joining the club, there might even be competition for the goalkeeper position, especially as the current number one, Alisson, has faced injury issues recently.
A key area for potential change is Virgil van Dijk`s centre-back partner. Uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate`s future makes strengthening the central defence a priority.
Beyond Van Dijk, Arne Slot could potentially field a significantly altered defensive lineup in 2025/26 as the search for a new central defender continues.
Search for a New Centre-Back
As Konate`s contract has only a year remaining and Real Madrid are reportedly interested, Liverpool likely need to sign a senior centre-back, their first since Konate joined in 2021. This need is further amplified by Jarell Quansah`s move to Bayer Leverkusen.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is a prominent name linked with the club, with some reports suggesting personal terms have already been agreed with the 24-year-old English defender.
However, other options are also being evaluated. According to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, Liverpool are weighing up whether to pursue talks for Guehi or focus on the young Ajax talent, Jorrel Hato.
Hato, valued at around £40m, has been linked with Anfield before, and there`s now a potential opportunity to intensify interest in the highly-regarded 19-year-old.
While Guehi offers established Premier League experience and quality, the young Dutchman potentially has even greater upside.
Hato: A Potential Upgrade?
Liverpool have previously benefitted immensely from signing Dutch talent developed in the Netherlands, notably with Virgil van Dijk`s arrival in January 2018 after spells at Groningen, Celtic, and Southampton.
Van Dijk, now Liverpool`s captain and leader, has been a colossal presence for the club, described by former striker Michael Owen as potentially the `best centre-half of all time`.
Although Hato, who plays left centre-back and left-back like Van Dijk, still has much to achieve to reach his compatriot`s level, comparisons between the two have been made. Journalist Jorn Alders commented:
“He can be an option. He`s a really big talent. Not entirely similar to Van Dijk but he has his physique. He has good technique. He`s strong and he`s extremely fast, so he has all the attributes to improve in the Premier League, I think.”
“He`s so young. He`s still 19 but already he is the first-choice left-back for the Netherlands and one of the best players in that squad.”
Hato is seen as someone who could potentially follow Van Dijk`s path and has been described as having `immense` quality by talent scout Jacek Kulig. He has already played 111 senior games for Ajax before his 20th birthday. In contrast, Guehi made his senior debut for Chelsea at 19 in the League Cup.
Hato is not only more versatile than Guehi, being able to play full-back, but he also shows greater composure and quality in possession. Last season in the Eredivisie, he had a 90% pass completion rate and averaged 0.6 key passes per game (stats via Sofascore). Guehi`s comparable figures were 84% and 0.5.
Both players averaged 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game in 2024/25. However, Hato seemed more difficult to dribble past, averaging only 0.3 instances per game compared to Guehi`s 0.5.
Described by Kulig as arguably `one of the most talented CBs of his generation in Europe`, the young Dutch international is already excelling at 19, suggesting significant potential for future development.
While Guehi offers an immediate, proven option, Hato, with his potential to become a player similar to Van Dijk, might represent a higher long-term prospect.
