Angus is a freelance analytical writer for Football FanCast.
Having graduated from Southampton Solent University with a degree in Sports Journalism in 2022, Angus found a home at FFC after previously writing for Vavel and OurSoundMusic.
A fervent Liverpool supporter, Angus has covered a range of Premier League clubs, from both Merseyside outfits, to the Old Gold of Wolverhampton and the South Coast of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Outside of football, he is a voracious reader and plays the piano.
Liverpool have embraced winter’s bite after a dreadful run of autumnal form, pulled firmly away from Premier League title contention as Arsenal and Manchester City prepare to tussle for the gold medal once again.
While Arne Slot will be frustrated that his side aren’t in the mix after coming first with breezy ease last season, the severity of Liverpool’s decline will have shifted his focus to simply treading water and avoiding the axe, with many growing discontented with the Dutchman’s rule after so many defeats, so many abject performances.
Liverpool head into 2026 in a better position, fourth in the league standings and with the chance to create some breathing room between them and fifth-place Chelsea, who are two points behind and drew at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.
Defensively, much remains to be desired, and Liverpool are an injury to Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate away from turmoil. Cue the January transfer window.
Liverpool ready to sign a centre-back
Liverpool came within a whisker of signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window, but they may have a tougher task in convincing him to join on a free transfer next summer, with Real Madrid intensifying their interest.
In fact, any number of elite suitors are lining up for the England international, and with Liverpool in need of a new central defender now, it’s perhaps understandable that alternatives have been earmarked.
According to Football Insider’s Mick Brown, Brighton star Jan Paul van Hecke is on that list, with the Dutchman having impressed over the past several years on the south coast.
Van Hecke is embroiled in a contractual dispute with his employers, and given that he’s in the penultimate year of his deal, FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes could pounce at any moment, should they be given encouragement.
Tottenham Hotspur also have a vested interest in the 25-year-old, who is valued at around £40m.
Why Van Hecke would be perfect for Liverpool
Brighton signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda in 2020, and after a string of fundamental loan spells, he has become a fixed feature of the Seagulls’ Premier League make-up, having featured 88 times in the top flight, scoring four goals and supplying two assists.
To be sure, he still has improvements to make, but data-driven site FBref state that Van Hecke shares a tactical likeness with Guehi, ranking among the top 3% of positional peers in the division for progressive passes, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 19% for ball recoveries per 90.
Moreover, he’s got a goal in him, having scored three times from 18 league outings this season.
With a surpassing technical skillset and an ability to impress across attacking and defensive metrics, Van Hecke could even emulate his compatriot Van Dijk at Liverpool.
Van Dijk is 34 years old, and Liverpool need to sign a long-term replacement sooner rather than later. Van Hecke, with his wealth of Premier League experience and potential to make further gains in the coming years, could be the perfect addition, first learning the fruits of Van Dijk’s craft before taking his place down the line.
After all, Van Hecke is a terrific defender too, with Sofascore recording that he has won a whopping 67% of his ground duels in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool have been undone multiple times by set-pieces this season, and it’s clear that fresh quality is needed to stave off the biggest threat to stability across the rearguard.
Most Set-piece Goals Conceded 25/26 (Top 5 Leagues)
Club
Games
Conceded
Liverpool
18
12
Bournemouth
18
12
Nott’m Forest
19
12
FC Koln
15
11
West Ham
18
11
Fiorentina
17
10
Data via ThisIsAnfield
Is he the finished article? Indeed not, but Van Hecke has been hailed as a “positively crazy” defender by former striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, with a remarkable energy and athleticism about his style that bespeaks his suitability for a club like Liverpool.
There’s definitely something Guehi-like about him, but Van Hecke could actually become Liverpool’s finest defender since Van Dijk by making the move to Merseyside.
The Dutchman shares more than just citizenship with Liverpool’s all-inspiring skipper. He is good on the ball and monstrous in the air, the prototypical mould for a Premier League centre-back looking to go to the top.
Given that Liverpool would be plucking him from the south coast too, Van Hecke might just have what it takes to become the Anfield side’s new version of the Netherlands legend.
Related
Needed more than Semenyo: Liverpool leading the race to sign £34m talent
Liverpool are ready to react to opportunities in the January transfer window.
