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Liverpool have embraced the bite of winter after a terrible series of autumn forms, firmly away from Premier League the title fight as Arsenal and Manchester City prepare to battle it out once again for gold.
While Arne Slot will be frustrated that his team is not in the mix after finishing first with disconcerting ease last season, the severity of Liverpool’s decline will have shifted their focus to simply treading water and avoiding the axe, with many increasingly unhappy with the Dutchman’s reign after so many defeats, so many abject performances.
Liverpool head into 2026 in a better position, fourth in the league table and with the chance to create some breathing space between them and fifth-placed Chelsea, who are two points behind and drew at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
Defensively, there is still a lot to be desired and Liverpool are injured. Virgil van Dijk Or Ibrahima Konate far from the turmoil. Look out for the January transfer window.
Liverpool ready to sign a central defender
Liverpool came close to signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window, but they may have a tougher task convincing him to join on a free transfer next summer, with Real Madrid intensifies interest.
In fact, a number of elite suitors are lining up for the England international, and with Liverpool now in need of a new centre-back, it is perhaps understandable that alternatives have been earmarked.
According to Mick Brown of Football InsiderBrighton star Jan Paul van Hecke features on this list, with the Dutchman having impressed in recent years on the south coast.
Van Hecke is embroiled in a contract dispute with his employers, and given he is in the penultimate year of his contract, FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes could pounce at any time, if encouraged.
Tottenham Hotspur also have a direct interest in the 25-year-old, who is valued at around £40 million.
Why Van Hecke would be perfect for Liverpool
Brighton signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda in 2020, and after a series of key loan spells, he became a fixture in the Seagulls’ Premier League set-up, having played 88 times in the top flight, scoring four goals and providing two assists.
Granted, he still has room for improvement, but data-driven site FBref says Van Hecke shares a tactical resemblance with Guehi, ranking in the top 3% of positional peers in the division for progressive passes, top 1% for progressive carries and top 19% for ball recoveries per 90.
What’s more, he has a goal in him, having scored three times in 18 league appearances this season.
With exceptional technical skills and an ability to impress offensively and defensively, Van Hecke could even emulate his compatriot Van Dijk at Liverpool.
Van Dijk is 34 and Liverpool need to sign a long-term replacement as soon as possible. Van Hecke, with his wealth of Premier League experience and potential to make further gains in the years to come, could be the perfect complement, first learning the fruits of Van Dijk’s know-how before taking his place down the line.
After all, Van Hecke is also a formidable defender, with Sofascore reporting that he has won 67% of his ground duels in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool have been repeatedly undone by set-pieces this season, and it is clear that new quality is needed to ward off the biggest threat to rearguard stability.
|
Most goals conceded from set pieces 25/26 (Top 5 leagues) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Games |
Conceded |
|
Liverpool |
18 |
12 |
|
Bournemouth |
18 |
12 |
|
I am not a forest |
19 |
12 |
|
FC Cologne |
15 |
11 |
|
Western Ham |
18 |
11 |
|
Fiorentine |
17 |
10 |
|
Given This is Anfield |
||
Is this the finished article? Indeed no, but Van Hecke was hailed as a “positively crazy” defender from former striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, with a remarkable energy and athletic style that speaks to his suitability for a club like Liverpool.
There’s certainly something of Guehi about him, but Van Hecke could actually become Liverpool’s best defender since Van Dijk by moving to Merseyside.
The Dutchman shares more than just citizenship with the inspirational Liverpool skipper. He is good on the ball and monstrous in the air, the prototypical mold of a Premier League centre-back looking to reach the top.
Given that Liverpool are also reportedly recruiting him from the south coast, Van Hecke might just have what it takes to become the Anfield side’s new version of the Dutch legend.
