Liverpool have been the best team in European football during the 2024/25 season in Arne Slot’s first campaign as the legendary Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, and the Reds have to like their chances of winning the Champions League whilst currently running away with the English Premiership.
Despite their domestic dominance and European brilliance, Liverpool do have a couple of pressing needs, including center back depth and a new striker to replace the mediocre Darwin Nunez.
But their biggest need is undoubtedly at the left back position, as they do not have a top option in the squad. Andrew Robertson has declined precipitously and his days of elite European play are clearly behind him.
After Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas is a decent footballer, but the Greek international is nothing more than a No. 2 option at left back; Liverpool need an ascending player who can start now.
Jorrel Hato is a Milos Kerkez alternative
Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth is a proven option within the Premier League, but it appears Liverpool want to go with someone even younger and even more talented to really go for world-class upside.
According to a report from Dutch footballing outlet SoccerNews.nl, Liverpool are prepared to spend a whopping 60 million euros in order to activate the release clause of Ajax left back Jorrel Hato.
Although Ajax remain unconvincing as a top team in the Netherlands, they are still a strong side, and Hato is their brightest spot. The 19-year-old is one of the best defenders in Europe right now, and you won’t find any U21 left backs on his level.
Slot, a Dutch coach, has gotten so much out of Netherlands internationals with former Eredivisie pedigrees on the Liverpool first team, most namely emerging world-class talents Cody Gakpo (PSV) and Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax).
Hato could be next. Those close to Hato reportedly believe strongly that he would be a rousing success at Anfield, stating that the has the quality to blossom under Slot like Gakpo and Gravenberch have.
This season, Hato has two goals and six assists from defensive positions with a pass completion percentage of nearly 91 in the Dutch Eredivisie. Defensively, Hato is averaging 2.9 combined tackles and interceptions per game with fewer than 0.5 dribbles completed allowed.
Those are excellent numbers at the left back position. Hato can’t do any worse than what Robertson has been doing, and, long-term, he could end up being on par with the Scottish international and Liverpool icon if his development under Slot tracks as planned.
