The Premier League offers numerous cautionary tales, and the individual tasked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool would do well to heed the warning of Erik ten Hag’s struggles at Manchester United.
Ten Hag, who was appointed after achieving success at Ajax, is facing potential dismissal due to the underwhelming performances of several high-profile signings.
History suggests that for every successful signing from the Eredivisie, such as Lisandro Martinez, there are several less successful ones, like Antony. Similarly, for every Luis Suarez, there are players like Afonso Alves who fail to make an impact.
According to a recent report by HITC, Liverpool may consider reuniting Arne Slot with some of his former Feyenoord players, including midfielders Quinten Timber and Mats Wieffer.
Additionally, the agent of David Hancko, a left-sided center-back and self-proclaimed Liverpool fan, confirmed that the club had been interested in the Slovakian player even before Klopp’s departure.
However, former Netherlands striker Roy Makaay advises Liverpool to exercise caution when rebuilding their squad, warning against relying too heavily on signings from the Dutch league.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool Warned Against Feyenoord Raid
“I wouldn’t sign too many players from the Eredivisie,” Makaay, one of the division’s more successful exports having proven prolific at Deportivo la Coruna and Bayern Munich, tells Voetbal Primeur.
“Unfortunately, it has become apparent in recent seasons that the step from the Netherlands to the Premier League is extremely large.
“If you look at Davy Klassen (at Everton), Donny van de Beek… Even at Manchester United, all players are having an extremely difficult time.
“It is always dangerous if you take too many compatriots with you, in my opinion.”
Reports suggest that Hancko and Wieffer could cost a combined total of £47 million. Additionally, acquiring Timber would also come at a significant cost. However, Hancko appears to be the most likely of the three players to join Liverpool, as the club have been searching for a left-footed central defender for nearly a year.
In their search for a left-footed central defender, Liverpool previously showed interest in Micky van de Ven before he joined Tottenham Hotspur. They also made an approach for Piero Hincapie, a player from Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen team.
“(Hancko) can easily go to England with Arne Slot,” former Netherlands international Peter Boeve tells De Telegraaf.
“(He stands out) not only for his defending,” adds Feyenoord legend Rinus Israel. “Hancko has a good play-in pass, often dares to go forward and can head (the ball) excellently.
“He is the complete defender.”
Slot Won the Eredivisie Title With Feyenoord
Hancko’s exceptional performance under Slot’s guidance helped Feyenoord end their six-year drought and secure domestic triumph in 2023.
According to former Dutch international Robin van Persie, Slot’s charismatic leadership and tactical prowess make him an ideal candidate to excel at one of England’s most prestigious clubs.
“I think (Slot is) very good, very good,” Van Persie, the legendary Arsenal and Manchester United striker, tells ESPN. “How he wants to play is in line with Klopp’s style of play and what they are used to there. I expect them to do very well.
“Liverpool is one of the nicer clubs in England. I have been able to play for two other very nice clubs.
“Slot has already been able to practice well at Feyenoord in that rhythm. But there (in the Premier League) it moves very hard and fast for eleven to 11-and-a-half months a year. It is a very nice, new opportunity for him.
“I believe it will go very well.”
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Plot Defender Raid After Big Weekend Development