The Dutchman Hiding at Anfield

AN ARTICLE BY MATTY

Not sure who else saw this but it seems we had a special guest at Liverpool’s last PL game, 18 year old Ajax wonder kid Jorrel Hato. Capable of playing anywhere on the left side of the defense, the young Dutchman visited Anfield likely because of the Dutch connection between him and Slot, as well as the players who are responsible for such a strong start to the season such as Virgil, Gravenberch and Gakpo. The Dutch contingent at Liverpool likely gives us a head start on negotiations for the precocious CB, not even mentioning the potential information Hato’s teammate Jordan Henderson could provide to club management if asked about Hato potentially moving to Liverpool. However, is Hato the right fit for what we want from a possible successor to Virgil van Dijk? Let’s find out.

Hato is a smaller defender in regard to the CB position at exactly 6 feet tall, but to have broken into the first eleven at Ajax when he was only 16 suggests significant ability in the position. He’s shifted between LB and CB throughout his time at Ajax, highlighting the versatility that Slot seems to appreciate in his current Liverpool squad. His stats suggest he’s a very safe player when it comes to his passing, not looking to be progressive but rather choosing to cycle the ball around the back or into the midfield. His defending seems smart and measured, incredible for a player so young, and despite his average height he wins enough aerial duels to be rated in the 91st percentile among all defenders. He’s a very composed player, one who can learn under the best Dutch defender in the world right now and become even better by the time he takes the reins from Virgil. Of course, that last sentence is contingent upon us actually being interested in him and getting the deal across the line.

The reason I think Hato ends up being a CB for Liverpool rather than an LB, even though LB might be a greater immediate need, is because Slot likes his fullbacks to be aggressive. We’ve seen this regardless of who’s playing at those positions, they’re either flying up the flanks or making underlapping runs inside of the winger. They’re dynamic and creative, and while I think Hato could fill that role it would not be a role he’s been asked to play at Ajax so far. He can be coached up, surely, but I think we’ve seen how things work out better when players are simply asked to play to their strengths rather than be forced to do something they might not be comfortable with. Just look at Hato’s countryman Cody Gakpo thriving back on the left wing.

Ajax’s price tag for Hato seems reasonable for a player of his age and talent, around £25 million. While I don’t think he’d be a perfect fit to replace Virgil, he’s a good player now with loads of potential to be better. At worst, he’s solid cover for multiple positions in the backline, which as we’ve seen with Joe Gomez is still a very valuable role in the team. At best, he’s the leader of the defense for years to come alongside Konate and Quansah. The price tag is reasonable enough that if Liverpool want him, they can go get him. The question is whether the Dutchman hiding in the stands at Anfield comes out of hiding with a Liverpool kit on.