Liverpool could sign BOTH Milos Kerkez and Jorrel Hato this summer | OneFootball

Even before the 2024/25 season has ended, Liverpool are already starting to look ahead to 2025/26.

Mid-week breaks to Ibiza and Dubai for the players and Arne Slot took place this week, bringing a whole new perspective to the term 'on the beach' now that the Premier League title has been wrapped up, suggesting that the focus is predominantly on partying for the foreseeable future.

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However, behind the scenes, the recruitment team is thoroughly locked in, with negotiations with players already taking place to tie down transfer moves before the window officially opens in June.

Jeremie Frimpong is already all-but confirmed to be joining and Milos Kerkez is next on the list per Fabrizio Romano, which suggests that we aren't far away from another 'here we go'.

But the Hungarian's impending arrival is not a signal that the Reds are finished making improvements to the defence. Yet another left-back target could also be making his way to Merseyside.

© IMAGO - Jorrel Hato Liverpool

A move for Jorrel Hato is still on the cards

Initially, the Dutchman was reported as an option at left-back, but he is also a highly skilled centre-back and Liverpool could still end up making a move for him, despite the interest in Kerkez.

After all, Liverpool were interested in signing Dean Huijsen before Real Madrid snatched him away and it was Fabrizio Romano that named Hato as a potential replacement for the Spaniard.

Writing for Give Me Sport, the transfer journalist said: "For sure, Jorrel Hato is one of the players appreciated at Liverpool. Lets see what Arsenal decide to do."

As such, there is a world where the young Ajax defender still gets his dream move - joining his friend Ryan Gravenberch at Anfield, after visiting the Reds' midfielder on Merseyside earlier this season.

Furthermore, this scenario would give us a pretty clear picture of the defensive setup for 2025/26.

© IMAGO

How might the defence look next season?

The two players guaranteed to be in the setup next season are Virgil Van Dijk and Conor Bradley, who both signed contract extensions in the last couple of months. They aren't going anywhere.

Andy Robertson might have been at risk of leaving, but it seems as though his rival Kostas Tsimikas might be moved on in favour of the Scot, with his leadership credentials still proving to be valuable.

If a move for Kerkez is completed, then the Reds will then have two pretty solid left-back options next season - Robertson and his younger contemporary.

Then we can move to right-back, with Bradley being joined by Frimpong to make up a frighteningly attacking pairing that has the power to be incredibly explosive next season, taking the expected goal contributions from full-backs to a whole other level.

Joe Gomez could easily be moved on, but it feels as though his flexibility to player a number of positions in the back-line will lead to him being kept on. First and foremost, he would be a centre-back option for Arne Slot to utilise and he can offer depth as an emergency right-back.

Mirroring him on the left-side of the pitch could be Hato. A more youthful and spirited centre-back than Gomez, and he could easily be played as an emergency left-back if injuries hit next season.

At least, we then have the uncertain pair of Ibrahima Konate and Jarrel Quansah. Neither are players that Slot will want to lose, but the Englishman has struggled this season and could be sold to boost the transfer budget, and Konate will either have to sign a new contract or be sold before his deal expires.

If either one of them leaves, then Hato could be brought in as a direct replacement, but ideally neither of them depart and the Dutchman could join anyway to add depth and competition to the role.