From Van de Ven to Timber: Liverpool’s defensive plans this summer

Sam McGuire

• Updated: 27 May 2023 00:23 BST
• 5 min read

Liverpool have a lot to do in the transfer window this summer.

For starters, the Reds need to address the midfield situation following the confirmed departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. Fabinho had a difficult season, Jordan Henderson is starting to show his age while Thiago Alcantara has just 1,256 Premier League minutes to his name this term.

Jurgen Klopp needs to add durable, reliable performers to his midfield options and this has been a priority for well over 12 months now. However, over recent weeks, reports have linked Liverpool with a number of centre-backs.

In a recent article published by Neil Jones of Goal, there is a suggestion that Joel Matip could be sold this summer. His current deal expires in 12 months time and there has been no talk of a renewal. The 31-year-old is another who has had a disappointing 2022/23 season. He is behind Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order and this coupled with his injury issues have meant he’s been limited to just 1,000 minutes in the English top flight.

It would make sense for all parties if Matip was to leave this summer. He gets regular first-team football elsewhere and Liverpool free up space to bring in a more robust centre-back option.

The Reds have been linked with two different profiles defensively. A few rumoured targets would be as cover for Konate while there are some names that point towards Klopp wanting to bring in a left-sided centre-back to potentially replace Andrew Robertson in the new-look back three shape being utilised by the 2019/20 Premier League champions.

With this in mind, we thought we’d rank the suitability of some of those being linked.

1. Micky Van de Ven

Incoming Sporting Director Jorg Schmadtke knows the 22-year-old well having been at Wolfsburg when the 6ft 4in Dutchman was brought to Germany.

Van de Ven is left-footed and has played at full-back on occasion, though he is primarily a centre-back.

He doesn’t really put his frame to good use though, winning just over half of his aerial duels. When Liverpool were at their very best, their centre-back pairing would win a minimum of 70% of their aerial duels.

He is quick though. In fact, he’s clocked a top speed of 35.87 km/ph in the Bundesliga making him the fastest centre-back in the league. Van de Ven could definitely play in Liverpool’s infamous high line and he’d be a nice fit on the left side of a back three.

Wolfsburg are believed to want just €30 million for their No.5. All in all, he is comfortably the most suitable on this list.

2. Goncalo Inacio

Named as a Liverpool target as early as January, the Reds have reportedly had eyes on him over recent weeks having sent scouts to the Portuguese capital to watch games.

Sporting are looking to convince the 21-year-old to sign a new deal, partly as a reward for his fine form but also to increase the €45m release clause.

Inacio usually plays on the left-side of a back three for Ruben Amorim’s side in the 3-4-3 shape. He’s very good at carrying the ball forward, can pick a pass and isn’t exactly a slouch over short distances. He isn’t necessarily dominant in the air but in a back three it isn’t the end of the world. For Sporting, Seb Coates leads the way aerially. For Liverpool, it would be Van Dijk.

He would be top of the list if he was a little bit taller (he’s 6ft 1in) and a little bit quicker as from a technical point of view he is better than Van de Ven right now. However, the height and speed of the Dutchman will be a big factor in the Premier League.

3. Nayef Aguerd

A surprise name mentioned in the Goal article was West Ham United centre-back Nayef Aguerd.

The Hammers signed him for €35m last summer and would likely want to turn a profit on him if he was to be sold, so you’d be looking at around €50m for the 27-year-old.

An ankle injury ruled him out until late October following his arrival but he’s arguably been their most consistent player since coming into the team.

Aguerd has adapted well to the rigours of the Premier League and though he’s not as dominant as he should be as a 6ft3 centre-back, he copes well with the physicality. The Morocco international is deceptively quick too.

One concern would be his injury record though. He’s missed 10 or more games in three of his last five seasons. That coupled with the expected price tag sees him third on the list.

4. Jurrien Timber

Though cover for Konate is needed, Timber is a bit of a weird fit. He would likely cost more than the Frenchman, for starters. The 21-year-old is quick, decent on the ball and fairly progressive when in possession having played for a dominant Ajax side, but there are a few red flags.

He’s the smallest player on the list, coming in at just 5ft10.

A back three made up of Timber, Van Dijk and Robertson is on the small side and it would require the Liverpool No.4 to do a lot of heavy lifting. Timber is fairly versatile and there are some who believe he could even do a job in midfield, but there needs to be more of a reason to bring him in if he’s to be the defensive signing this summer for the Reds.