Andoni Iraola has overseen an unbeaten beginning to his first Premier League campaign at Anfield, with Liverpool taking points from each of their opening five matches, including wins against Ipswich Town and Bournemouth.
That positive start has come after a summer of significant change. Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all departed on free transfers, forcing Liverpool to reshape their squad.
The Reds responded with considerable investment, bringing in Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain as their standout attacking addition. Victor Munoz also arrived to strengthen the forward line, while Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo provided Iraola with more options in central defence.
However, Liverpool are already looking beyond their immediate needs, with the future of Virgil van Dijk potentially becoming increasingly important.
Liverpool Plotting Micky van de Ven Move
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are plotting a potential move for Tottenham captain Micky van de Ven, with the Netherlands international once again emerging as a target for the Merseyside club.
Liverpool have reportedly admired the 25-year-old for some time and could return for him in 2027. The defender is viewed as a potential long-term successor to Van Dijk, whose current contract is due to expire in June of that year.
Van Dijk remains an important part of Iraola’s plans, but Liverpool are seemingly aware that they need to prepare for life without their long-serving centre-back.
Van de Ven would offer an intriguing option given his age, Premier League experience and outstanding pace. Former England women’s captain Steph Houghton previously described him as “one of the quickest players in the Premier League”, highlighting one of the qualities that has helped make him such a dangerous defender.
Tottenham, however, are unlikely to make negotiations straightforward. Van de Ven is their captain and remains an important player, meaning Spurs would be expected to demand a substantial fee if Liverpool formally make their interest known.
The Reds were previously linked with the Dutchman before ultimately failing to secure a deal during the summer. Their defensive recruitment has since continued, with Jacquet arriving permanently and Araujo joining on loan from Barcelona.
Nevertheless, Liverpool’s longer-term planning could see them revisit Van de Ven’s situation next year.
Much could depend on Tottenham’s season and whether Van de Ven himself becomes receptive to the idea of a move to Anfield. If both factors align, Liverpool could make another attempt to bring the rapid centre-back to Merseyside as they plan for the post-Van Dijk era.
