Ex-Liverpool star urges Arne Slot to capitalize on Tottenham woes with bargain transfer
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In reality, though, the whole team has been wide open at times, as was the case in the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray this week."It looks that way," McAteer said on the latest edition of the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, in partnership with BOYLE Sports, when asked if Van de Ven should be on Liverpool’s defensive incoming priorities in the summer.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk hits out at 'crazy' Liverpool VAR controversy vs GalatasarayREAD MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Galatasaray as Mohamed Salah and 5 more struggle"They missed out on Marc Guehi in the summer, and I was a little bit surprised that they let it go to the winter window to try and do the business."You always bring competition in then; other teams are looking for players in that position, and City have got there before Liverpool. I think they missed out on one there."Giovanni Leoni came in at the start of the season; obviously, he picked up the really bad injury, which has set him back, and we brought in Jeremy Jacquet as well.Micky van de Ven has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))"I know he’s not coming until next season, but he is quality, and they have spent a lot of money on him.
He will be looking at playing in the team, but they do need another center-half."There are a couple out there, but Micky van de Ven seems to be (on the market). It will be interesting to see how it develops at Tottenham because if they do go down, they will be looking to offload players, and Liverpool might nick him for a little bit cheaper."In recent weeks, Liverpool has looked much more defensively assured, though that changed against Galatasaray in the Champions League."It’s a big area for Liverpool to address," McAteer continued.
You’ve got Milos Kerkez who’s just come this season, you’ve got Ibrahima Konate, who might leave because he’s out of contract, and you’ve got van Dijk who’s probably only got a year left in him."Whoever comes in, you’re looking for a big personality; the finished article. They don’t come cheap."There’s not a lot of leaders in that Liverpool team, you’re looking for someone with a lot of experience and leadership and whether Micky van de Ven is the man remains to be seen."Liverpool.com says: Van de Ven is a decent center-back but he has been in poor form in the last few weeks.