Liverpool transfer news: Troy Deeney predicts 'WONDERFUL' defender could be PERFECT for Arne Slot

Former Premier League forward Troy Deeney’s role as a pundit for BBC Sport includes releasing the BBC’s PL Team of the Week (TOTW). 

Deeney took over from Garth Crooks this year as the curator of this team to spotlight the players who have performed incredibly well over the weekend. 

Unsurprisingly, no Liverpool players were included this week after the Reds shocking performance against Nottingham Forest. 

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However, the inclusion of one player has caught supporters' eyes with Deeney likening him to the Reds.

Van Hecke and Liverpool - a match made in heaven?  

The Watford legend’s TOTW actually didn’t include any Forest players even after beating Liverpool for the first time at Anfield since 1969. 

One defender though was included who had a solid game for Brighton and Hove Albion against Ipswich Town. This was Jan Paul van Hecke. 

The 24 year-old Dutch defender initially signed for the Seagulls in 2020, but was loaned out to SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie, and the season after was further loaned to Championship side Blackburn Rovers. 

After this spell, he returned to Brighton wanting to prove a point. And since then he has become a key figure in the back line with his team keeping two clean sheets this season already and only conceding two goals in four games. 

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This week, Brighton drew to Ipswich with the final score being 0-0, a dull game but one where Van Hecke shone. 

As a result, Deeney included the defender in his TOTW. Within his BBC Sport article, Troy quoted the young defender as being “wonderful on the ball” and looking “calm and composed”. 

He then boldly stated that. “I think he’ll be the one they end up selling next year to someone like Liverpool. He’s naturally left-footed and never looks flustered.” 

Van Hecke has partnered Lewis Dunk as a centre-half. His style of play is very similar to our very own Virgil van Dijk, whose contract runs out next year. 

The BBC Sport pundits tenuous link is intriguing and if Van Dijk were to leave, the replacement of another strong, Dutch centre-back would be warmly welcomed to the team.