Liverpool should consider signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven if the north London club faces relegation this season. Spurs currently sit in the relegation zone, two points behind 17th-placed West Ham, following a disastrous campaign.
Relegation Battle and Player Future
After Igor Tudor's unsuccessful stint and subsequent dismissal, Roberto De Zerbi has been tasked with keeping Spurs in the top flight. The Italian manager must also convince the club's star players that their futures remain at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Liverpool have also experienced difficulties this season, with an unreliable and injury-hit defence contributing to their struggles. A deal has already been agreed for Jeremy Jacquet to join from Rennes for the 2026/27 campaign, but further defensive reinforcements are needed.
Defensive Concerns at Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate's uncertain future is a concern, Joe Gomez could leave this summer, and Virgil van Dijk will be 35 by the start of next season. Van de Ven, strongly linked with the Reds, is under contract at Spurs until 2029.
According to talkSPORT, Tottenham have placed a £100 million valuation on the defender. However, if De Zerbi's side drops into the Championship, the 25-year-old would likely be available at a reduced price.
Expert Opinions on Van de Ven
Opinion is divided on Van de Ven's suitability for Liverpool following an inconsistent season. Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann believes the Reds need a player with Van de Ven's pace.
Hamann said: "We know in football how important pace is going forward... I think Micky van de Ven is one of the quickest, if not the quickest, in the Premier League. So, yeah, he'd certainly be one who's on the radar."
Ex-Spurs manager Tim Sherwood also thinks it is a sensible decision. "Micky van de Ven is the obvious choice for Liverpool this summer in that left centre-back position," he said.
Concerns Raised
However, concerns exist. Former Liverpool player Dean Saunders has questioned whether Van de Ven possesses the football intelligence required to succeed at Anfield. Previous Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has also expressed reservations about Van de Ven's fit for the Reds.
Saunders told aceodds.com: "When speaking about Micky van de Ven, he is lightning quick, but I have played against defenders like him. Being a top defender is all about your brain. It doesn't matter being quick if you don't have the brain. It helps you recover from mistakes, but you shouldn't make those mistakes to start. I am just not sure if Van de Ven's football brain is that good and if he can read the game. At this level, everything is about speed of thought."
Van de Ven's Statistics and Potential
Van de Ven is officially the fastest player in Premier League history, recording a top speed of 37.38 km/h against Brentford in January 2024. While he has struggled this season, few Tottenham players have performed well.
The Dutch international wins 53.62% of his aerial duels and boasts an impressive 89% passing accuracy, suggesting plenty of room for development under Arne Slot.
His seven goals across all competitions this season is one more than Liverpool's top-scoring defender Virgil van Dijk. Van de Ven would also provide the advantage of being a left-footed centre-back.
Player's Interest in Liverpool
Van de Ven appears keen on a potential move. Speaking in June 2023, shortly before his £43 million transfer to Spurs, he told Voetbal International: "It's true that the director went there and I know that Liverpool followed me before. But at the moment, I don't know anything. Do I think Liverpool is a nice club? Naturally."
