Report: Liverpool Could Target Huijsen Alongside Kerkez | OneFootball

Slot’s Tactical Insights Highlight Bournemouth’s Strengths

Liverpool’s narrow victory over Bournemouth at the weekend was another test of Arne Slot’s evolving side. In a close game that showcased the resilience of both teams, it was ultimately Mohamed Salah’s brilliance that secured the points. But Richard Hughes, watching from the stands, will have taken more than just satisfaction from the result—there were lessons to learn.

Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, have been one of the surprise packages of the season. While their success might have caught some off guard, it will not have been unexpected at Liverpool’s Kirkby training base. Hughes, now Liverpool’s sporting director, played a crucial role in bringing Iraola to the south coast during his tenure at the Vitality Stadium, overseeing a recruitment strategy that has built a competitive squad.

Slot, too, was full of admiration for Bournemouth’s intensity, acknowledging how difficult it was to break them down:

“They’ve picked up points against so many good teams, not by luck, but because they’re intense. They have quality and that’s why we knew it was always going to be very hard.”

Bournemouth’s Standout Performers Make Their Case

Hughes has inherited a Liverpool squad brimming with quality, but Bournemouth’s current campaign underlines the astute recruitment that has taken place at his former club. While left-back Milos Kerkez has been widely discussed as a potential target for the Reds, the performance of Dean Huijsen, alongside Illia Zabarnyi, deserves equal recognition.

Kerkez, at 21, is developing into one of the best young full-backs in Europe and could become an option for Liverpool, should the left-back position require strengthening. However, Huijsen’s emergence suggests that centre-back should also be a priority.

At just 19, Huijsen displayed maturity beyond his years against Liverpool. Alongside Zabarnyi, he was resolute in dealing with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez while also offering the composure of a far more experienced defender. His reading of the game and ability to operate under pressure make him a player of significant potential.

Picture:IMAGO

Why Liverpool Should Monitor Huijsen’s Progress

Huijsen’s move to Bournemouth last summer for a fee that could rise to £15m now looks like a bargain. Liverpool had been tentatively linked before his switch, but the Dutch-born Spanish defender ultimately ended up at the Vitality Stadium. If he continues to progress at this rate, the Reds should strongly consider revisiting their interest.

Hughes will be acutely aware of the importance of long-term planning in central defence. Virgil van Dijk remains at the peak of his powers, and his leadership is irreplaceable in the short term. But Liverpool must prepare for the future, and Huijsen’s attributes—positional awareness, physicality, and technical ability—make him an ideal candidate to eventually succeed the Dutch captain.

Slot’s tactical approach demands defenders who can operate with the ball at their feet, and Huijsen demonstrated against Liverpool that he fits that profile. His ability to step into midfield and break the press will be an attractive trait for any elite side looking for a modern centre-back.

A Close Game Underscored Bournemouth’s Rise

Liverpool’s 2-1 victory was far from straightforward. Iraola’s side tested Slot’s men, and the game could easily have swung in a different direction. As Slot emphasised:

“If you want to win here maybe you need a bit of luck as well because the margins are so small. Our penalty was just not offside and their goal to make it 1-1 was just offside. They hit the post twice, we had our chances as well, but it was a close call for us to win.”

Bournemouth’s progress is not down to luck—it is a testament to the quality of their squad and the system they have in place. If Hughes played a pivotal role in assembling that team, then Liverpool would do well to examine who might be capable of making the step up to Anfield.

Kerkez has rightly been earmarked as a player of interest, but Huijsen should not be overlooked. The young defender is proving that he belongs at a higher level, and Liverpool may one day regret not moving sooner if he continues on this trajectory.