Liverpool transfers: PSV midfielder Joey Veerman emerges as target

PSV Eindhoven midfielder Joey Veerman has emerged as a target for Liverpool, Anfield Watch understands. 

Arne Slot is looking for a No.6 who can help in the build-up phase and the 25-year-old is now under consideration. 

It’s not clear how much PSV will ask for the Dutch international, who was arguably the Eredivisie’s best player last season. 

Slot has often used technical players to occupy the position of a holding midfielder.

Slot mostly used Mats Wieffer as his No.6 at Feyenoord alongside Quinten Timber. The coach asked the new Brighton player to get forward as much as possible and be involved in the final when Feyenoord were in possession. 

Veerman made 21 goal involvements in PSV’s midfield as part of a double pivot last term and is being eyed by Liverpool’s recruitment team. 

Liverpool's No.6 issues exposed

Veerman's professional career started off with FC Volendam in the Eerste Divisie, the Netherlands’ second tier, before he made the switch to Heerenveen, where he spent three years. 

He joined PSV in 2022 and has thrived under Peter Bosz’s system and is under contract until 2026. He will be a familiar face to at least three Liverpool players with Netherlands international colleagues Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch already at the club. 

With only two years left on his current deal, signing Veerman could be described as an 'opportunistic' transfer, which was how Richard Hughes described Liverpool's approach to the market this summer.

The Reds have been using Alexis Mac Allister in a similar role but there is a feeling that the former Brighton man would be better served further up the pitch. 

Wataru Endo has acted as Liverpool’s go-to player as a defensive midfielder who can forge turnovers. 

Liverpool turned down a €14 million bid from Marseille for Endo over the weekend but the player still has interest stemming from the Bundesliga.

Other options in the midfield for the season ahead include Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones and Tyler Morton.

Bajcetic has just returned from a long-term injury while Jones has spoken fondly about the opening days of Slot’s regime. 

Morton enjoyed a productive loan spell with Hull City last season and has been subject of transfer interest from RB Leipzig among others. 

Meanwhile, PSV have got an interest in Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg, although their initial approach has been knocked back.