£21m Bologna player admits he would really love to join Liverpool after playing against them

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Liverpool will look to make it three wins from as many UEFA Champions League games as they travel to Germany to take on RB Leipzig later today.

The Reds brushed aside AC Milan and Bologna in their two previous games in the competition and another win away from home will put them in a fantastic position for automatic qualification into the Round of 16.

While they had to stage a comeback to beat AC Milan 3-1 in their first game, the home game against Bologna proved to be more straightforward as they dominated the game right from the get-go to win 2-0.

And a defender who played against Liverpool on that day admits he’d love to sign for the club in the future.

Sam Beukema namedrops Liverpool as one of the clubs he wants to join

Sam Beukema has become a key player for Bologna since joining the club in the summer of 2023 after a fruitful spell in the Eredivisie.

According to FC Inter News, the Dutchman is valued at around £21m and got a glimpse of Anfield when he featured in Bologna’s 2-0 defeat against the Reds.

Speaking about a potential transfer, the 25-year-old strangely confessed that was a West Ham United fan, although he did namecheck Liverpool as a club he’d like to join in the future.

“I also have ambitions and hope one day to be able to play maybe in the Premier League or another big club,” Beukema told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

“I was a fan of West Ham. I once visited Upton Park with my father and I was really impressed because the atmosphere was similar to that of Feyenoord or Go Ahead Eagles.

“But there are so many fantastic teams in England, so if another great club like Liverpool came along I would be happy to go there one day.”

Earlier this season, Beukema also cited his desire to play alongside Virgil van Dijk, describing the Liverpool captain as the greatest defender in the history of the Netherlands.

Analysing Beukema’s stats this season

Beukema has started seven of Bologna’s eight Serie A games this season and his underlying numbers make for interesting reading when compared to that of Van Dijk.

According to Squawka, the Liverpool captain has won 4.5 duels per game so far with an aerial duels success rate of 74%. With over five clearances and two interceptions per game, Van Dijk has led a Reds backline that has conceded just three goals in the Premier League.

In comparison, Beukema’s numbers actually match up quite well with his compatriots in two aspects.

The 25-year-old has won 5.4 duels on average per game, boasting an aerial duels success rate of 71%. However, Beukema averages just two clearances and 0.8 interceptions per game, which could have a lot to do with the difference in playing styles between the two teams.

Do Liverpool need Beukema?

With Joel Matip departing the club at the end of last season and Van Dijk yet to put pen to paper on an extension, Liverpool are likely to scour the transfer market for central defenders in 2025.

While the Dutchman is not a household name in world football, he has offered a come-and-get-me plea to Liverpool and is available for £21m, while his ability to also play in midfield makes him an intriguing option for the Reds.

Speaking before Liverpool’s clash against Bologna earlier this month, Arne Slot confirmed that he tried to sign Beukema at Feyenoord, although the Dutchman opted to move to AZ Alkmaar instead.

If Slot comes calling once again – this time as Liverpool boss – it remains to be seen if Beukema joins hands with his compatriot, especially after his public admiration of the Reds.