Liverpool interested in Ajax trio as Reds told Jorrel Hato ‘ticks a lot of boxes’

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Liverpool currently have a very strong Dutch connection, with a number of key personnel hailing from the country.

Along with captain Virgil van Dijk and head coach Arne Slot, both Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch have become big, Dutch players for the Reds.

With Slot obviously having plenty of experience within his native division, it makes sense that Liverpool would be keeping an eye on matters within the Eredivisie.

This season, Ajax have returned with a vengeance after a disappointing couple of years.

And as the Amsterdam side aim for a first title since 2022, Rousing The Kop transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey says Liverpool are keeping close tabs on three impressive young players.

Liverpool keeping tabs on Jorrel Hato

With Jordan Henderson currently captaining Ajax, Liverpool have one more connection to the Amsterdammers.

Henderson is leading a young group which includes burgeoning left-back talent Jorrel Hato.

Liverpool have been linked with Hato as they aim to find the ideal successor to Andy Robertson this summer. And according to Bailey, the Reds are gathering information on the 18-year-old.

“He’s certainly in the conversation for that left-back role,” says the journalist. “He’s only 18 but he’s played an awful lot of games. We know he’s played centre-half when he first came through but he’s tied down to that left-back spot now.”

However, despite Hato ‘ticking a lot of boxes’ for the Reds, Bailey believes the Netherlands international may not be at the top of Liverpool’s list.

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“He’s a very good young player who won’t cost the earth and ticks a lot of boxes but I’m not sure whether he’s one for this summer really.

“I think they might want someone a bit more ready made. They’re still doing their work on him.”

Liverpool watching Anton Gaaei and Mika Godts

As well as Hato, Bailey says Liverpool have been taking scouting trips to watch right-back Anton Gaaei and forward Mika Godts.

“We know Liverpool have got decisions to make at right-back and that’s a discussion going on at the moment,” he says.

“Gaaei is an interesting player who fits into how Liverpool want to play, so keep an eye on that.”

In terms of Godts, Bailey says the winger has emerged from under the weight of being compared to Eden Hazard and is also on Liverpool’s radar.

“Godts has been having a good year and living up to his potential,” he says. “He’s had that ‘new Eden Hazard’ tag since he was quite young but that’s a bit unfair on him to make those sorts of comparisons.”