Jorrel Hato has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time, which is why it came as a surprise when the defender was in attendance on Saturday to watch the Reds against Ipswich Town.
The Ajax teenager was spotted in the crowd just a few days after reports suggested that Liverpool were keen to sign Hato this January, with the 18-year-old defender regarded as one of the best young players in all of Europe.
With Hato viewed as a potential long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, the defender heading to Liverpool could be a possible transfer later this year for Arne Slot with the Reds clearly interested in signing the Ajax wonderkid.
Indeed, Hato’s attendance at Anfield was a surprise on Saturday, and the Ajax talent has now shared what he thought about the atmosphere at Liverpool’s famed home ground after their convincing 4-1 win against Ipswich.
Hato impressed with Anfield’s atmosphere and Liverpool’s performance
Speaking to the press, the Dutch international shared how impressed he was with Liverpool’s performance against the Tractor Boys, with Hato also noting how good the Anfield atmosphere was on the day.
With Alan Shearer recently sharing his love for Anfield, the legendary Merseyside stadium is rightfully regarded as one of the best grounds in all of football and a huge selling point for many players looking to ply their trade with the Reds.
And for Hato, the Ajax teenager was seemingly impressed with what he saw and heard at Anfield on the weekend, with Liverpool’s performance against Ipswich certainly making things easier for the home supporters.
Hato said when asked about attending Liverpool’s win against Ipswich: “I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch. But I didn’t speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but there is no more to say.”
What has Hato said about joining Liverpool this January?
With Hato attending Liverpool’s latest Premier League win the same week the Anfield side’s interest in the defender was reported, all signs seem to point towards Hato joining the Reds someday in the near future.
However, Hato has shut down any idea that the defender will jump ship at Ajax anytime soon for Liverpool, with the teenage saying in the same press conference: “I read it all. But I also know that not everything was right. For my development, it’s best that I stay at Ajax for now.”
With just a few days remaining in the January transfer window, any hope that Liverpool might pull off a signing looks all-but gone, with Hato set to stay with Ajax and to continue his development with the Dutch giants.
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