With the winter transfer window nearing its end in a few days, we've noticed this active window, unlike the typically quiet nature of winter transfers.
While we've seen player movements in the top five leagues, Liverpool haven't made any signings yet. However, news has emerged that Arne Slot and Liverpool's management are considering Ajax Amsterdam and Dutch national team player Jorrel Hato, who is still a young defender at just 18 years old.
So why is this specific player attracting Liverpool at this time, and does he fit the Reds' playing style?
These rumors are closer to reality for several reasons. Hato plays as both a center-back and left-back, which would benefit the Reds as he could be a good backup in defense, either playing alongside van Dijk or as Robertson's replacement.
Playing in these positions gives Hato an advantage that major European clubs are considering. Another reason is that Jorrel is still young and could therefore become part of Liverpool's legacy and one of the players they could build a major project around.
Additionally, Hato was under Slot's observation when the latter was coaching Feyenoord in the Dutch league last season, so Slot knows him well.
So what makes Hato special this season?
Hato emerged with Ajax Amsterdam in January 2023 after playing in their youth teams, and in the same year, he played five matches with the Dutch national team.
Looking at his numbers this season with Ajax, he played 17 matches, scoring two goals and providing four assists. In the Europa League, he played six matches. During these matches this season, we've seen some skills that qualify Hato to play for the biggest European clubs and could suit Liverpool's playing style.
Hato averages 47.5 accurate passes per 90 minutes with 90% accuracy. Looking at his heat map, Hato is present in the opponents' half more than in his team's defensive third.
These numbers simply show that Hato is essential in build-up play and ball progression, whether as a defender or full-back. His ball-carrying ability helps his team in moving the ball forward.
Another advantage of Hato is his crossing ability. As mentioned earlier, his advanced positioning allows him to deliver quality crosses, and looking at his assists, they all came from crosses.
Also, attacking and penetrating space is a feature Hato possesses. Despite being a left-back, sometimes Hato runs into half-spaces and penetrates the area between the opponent's full-back and defender, putting him in more dangerous positions inside the penalty area.
Of course, van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold have high accuracy in direct passes behind opposing defense lines that put their teammates in one-on-one situations with the goal.
It would be good to have Hato at Liverpool because he also excels at direct passes and moving his team from the first third to opponent playing areas or in attacking transitions and quickly moving the team forward, with a direct passing accuracy of 70% per match.
Strong Defensive Metrics
Defensively, he's no less impressive than his attacking prowess. Hato performs well in one-on-one situations and aerial duels with 67.5% accuracy.
Like a tall tower, he wins many aerial balls - this was a weakness last season that caused goals against Ajax, especially inside the penalty area, but he has improved significantly this season.
He has good acceleration, and movement from a standing position is an important element in counter-pressing at Ajax.
His movement from a standing position for long and short distances and transitioning the team from defense to attack might explain his frequent presence in opponent areas, both with and without the ball, as mentioned earlier, because he's important in counter-pressing.
Hato is still young and naturally needs development, especially since he tends to follow his marked player even in advanced areas of the field, which might cause opponents to exploit the space he leaves and lack of coverage, but Hato's speed and fitness sometimes enable him to recover.
Just as he improved in aerial duels, he certainly has time to develop further. Some news suggests Arsenal is also interested in the player, but it would be better for Hato's career to come to Liverpool because his position at Arsenal is occupied by Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, and Zinchenko, so the likelihood of getting playing time at Arsenal would be much less compared to playing for Liverpool.
Hato is unlikely to leave this winter, and Ajax is waiting for summer offers, especially since his initial price ranges between £25-30 million.
If the Reds succeed in signing Hato in summer or winter, it would be a good choice for the team