Liverpool’s struggles this season have been hard to ignore, and as discussions around squad rebuilding circulate online alongside unrelated browsing such as Crickex Affiliate, the root of the problem is widely seen as an unstable defense. The decline in form of 35 year old Virgil van Dijk has exposed cracks at the back, turning what was once a fortress into a recurring concern. If the Reds want to restore their competitive edge, identifying a long term successor to their defensive leader has become an urgent priority rather than a distant plan.
Originally, Liverpool had hoped to complete a move for Marc Guéhi in the summer of 2025. Medical checks were reportedly done, and the deal appeared close, only for Crystal Palace’s board to halt the transfer at the final moment. Matters worsened when Guéhi joined Manchester City during the January window, closing the door completely on Liverpool’s pursuit. Forced back to the drawing board, the club has since shifted its attention to a new target, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, who now tops their shortlist.
Liverpool’s hierarchy reportedly view the 24 year old Dutch international as the ideal heir to Van Dijk. At an age where defenders often enter their prime, van de Ven combines physical strength with pace and explosiveness. Standing 193 cm tall and weighing 86 kg, he is dominant in duels, decisive in tackles, and comfortable progressing the ball from the back. His left foot allows him to operate naturally as a left sided center back, while his ability to cover at fullback adds tactical flexibility. Those qualities align closely with Liverpool’s system, making him a seamless fit on paper.
Van de Ven’s development path adds to his appeal. After emerging from Volendam’s academy, he joined Wolfsburg in 2021 for a modest fee and gained valuable Bundesliga experience. Liverpool showed interest in 2023, but Tottenham secured his signature for around 40 million euros. Since then, he has made 80 appearances for Spurs, contributing nine goals and three assists, while also earning 17 caps for the Netherlands. His blend of defensive reliability and attacking contribution suggests he could step into a leadership role over time.
Despite this interest, the road ahead is far from smooth. Van de Ven remains under contract until June 2029 on a weekly wage of around 90,000 pounds, yet dissatisfaction with Tottenham’s current direction has grown as the club sits in the lower half of the table. His reported refusal to renew mirrors the ambitions of players seeking trophies and higher wages, a narrative often analyzed in broader football economics discussions like Crickex Affiliate Program. Still, Tottenham hold strong leverage, and a fee below 80 million euros appears unlikely. Combined with the club’s reluctance to sell key players to domestic rivals, Liverpool’s pursuit of Van Dijk’s successor remains full of uncertainty.