At long last, Liverpool can rest assured knowing that Mo Salah will be strutting his stuff at Anfield for at least the next two seasons.
Salah finally signed a new contract with the Premier League leaders last week.
One suspects that, while Trent Alexander-Arnold still seems destined for Real Madrid, Virgil van Dijk will not be far behind.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool expect to tie down Van Dijk sooner rather than later. And, to quote the legendary Thierry Henry, while Mo Salah may be the most ‘valuable’ player at Arne Slot’s disposal, Van Dijk remains the most ‘important’ member of Liverpool’s roster.
With his 34th birthday approaching, however, not even a central defender this talented can defy Father Time forever. Slot and co appear to view the upcoming summer window as an opportunity to bring in a much younger player capable of learning from – and eventually replacing – the 2019 Champions League winner.
Liverpool are in talks with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato continues to be mentioned in the media, meanwhile. And who better for 19-year-old Rotterdam-born Hato to sit alongside than the finest Dutch defender arguably in ‘voetbal’ history?
Dutch reporter thinks Jorrel Hato set for Ajax exit as Liverpool move in
Hato only celebrated his 19th birthday in March.
The teenager already has six caps for the Netherlands at senior level, however, included in Ronald Koeman’s squad alongside Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo of late. Hato has made a century of appearances in an Ajax shirt too while also becoming their youngest-ever captain in a European match at the age of just 17.
And, according to claims which emerged on Monday, Liverpool have caused ‘panic’ at rival suitors Arsenal. Hato is high on The Gunners’ wishlist.
Yet, presuming Hato is tempted by the idea of joining a strong Dutch contingent at Anfield – including former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot – Liverpool may yet do what they have done to Arsenal in a long-dead title race by muscling their way into pole position.
Experienced Dutch reporter Mike Verweij, meanwhile, has been speaking about Hato’s future in the latest edition of the De Telegraaf podcast.
As highly-rated young coach Francesco Farioli closes in on Ajax’s first Eredivisie title since Erik ten Hag’s departure, another summer of uncertainty awaits at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Verweij feels that the likes of Kenneth Taylor, Brian Brobbey and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson – a January target for Monaco – could ride off into the sunset.
When it comes to Hato, however, Verweij thinks things are a lot more cut and dry. A summer departure, he says, is less a possibility and more an inevitability at this stage.
“Farioli has asked a number of key players whether they want to stay for next season,” the reporter explains.
“Hato is doing so well [to attract the interest of] Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. I do think he has left. Taylor has also indicated that he wants to leave and Brobbey only has two years left on his contract.”
Hato could replace Andy Robertson at left-back under Arne Slot
A natural left-footer compared to the more ambidextrous Van Dijk and Huijsen, Hato has actually featured regularly as a left-sided full-back under Farioli.
With Andy Robertson’s decline continuing unabated – a horror own goal this weekend against West Ham the latest high-profile mistake – Hato could potentially fill in for the Scot next term before shifting across to the centre when Van Dijk is no longer operating at his peak.
Hato has scored twice while assisting six more goals this season.
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