Report: Belgian full-back under serious consideration for defensive role | OneFootball

Maxim De Cuyper: Liverpool’s Next Left-Sided Project?

Scouting a Successor: Changing of the Guard at Left-Back?

Liverpool are peering into a future without Andy Robertson. While the idea might seem premature, the reality is that elite clubs must futureproof ruthlessly. At 30, the Scotland captain remains influential, but with injuries creeping in and tactical evolution under way, eyes are scanning Europe for what comes next. Maxim De Cuyper, a name unfamiliar to most, has emerged as a genuine option—perhaps not the headline signing some might expect, but a player shaped to match modern football’s hybrid demands.

Photo: IMAGO

According to Bence Bocsak of Anfield Watch, Liverpool view the 24-year-old Belgian as “an alternative option to Milos Kerkez,” should the Bournemouth man prove too expensive or sought-after. With a reported £45m+ price tag and heavyweight interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea, Kerkez is drifting out of reach. De Cuyper, by contrast, might represent value, versatility, and vision rolled into one.

Belgian Engine, Modern Profile

De Cuyper’s profile is quietly impressive. A graduate of Club Brugge’s youth system, he initially broke through as a winger—a trait that colours much of his current play. His evolution through a two-year loan spell at Westerlo, and later as a full-back at Brugge, shows a footballer in tactical bloom. The left-footer has transitioned into a more traditional full-back role this past season but hasn’t shed the attacking instincts of his earlier years.

That kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed by a data-driven recruitment team like Liverpool’s. In fact, his numbers make compelling reading across both ends of the pitch.

Creativity from Deep

Perhaps the most tantalising aspect of De Cuyper’s game is his creativity. According to FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes (7.44 per 90), expected assisted-goals (0.36 per 90), and shot-creating actions among full-backs outside Europe’s top five leagues. He doesn’t just defend well—he moves the ball forward with purpose, precision, and flair.

In that sense, he feels tailor-made for the hybrid demands of Liverpool’s current shape. Whether inverting into midfield or overlapping on the flank, De Cuyper appears to possess the balance of discipline and daring that Jürgen Klopp—and potentially Arne Slot—prioritise.

Market Value and Strategic Fit

This isn’t just about statistics. It’s about timing and opportunity. De Cuyper is approaching his peak years, playing regularly in European competition, and yet isn’t priced out of a move. That combination makes him a strategic fit, especially in a summer where Liverpool may need to spread their transfer spend wisely across multiple areas of the pitch.

In years gone by, this is exactly the kind of signing Liverpool made with confidence and conviction: identify upside early, act decisively, and allow a player to develop in a well-defined system. If Robertson is to be eased out gradually, De Cuyper offers a low-noise, high-ceiling alternative who won’t expect to start but might soon make himself impossible to drop.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Maxim De Cuyper won’t have been on the radar for most Liverpool fans, but those who’ve seen how the club operates in the transfer market will recognise the pattern. This is what Liverpool do: find players before they become £70m superstars, not after. What’s exciting here is that the Belgian ticks the modern full-back boxes. He’s athletic, creative, and defensively solid—and, crucially, he seems capable of handling the demands of a high-press system.

Some fans will naturally be sceptical, especially given how integral Andy Robertson has been over the years. But just as Robbo arrived from Hull as an under-the-radar pick, De Cuyper could be the next unheralded gem. His versatility is a real bonus too. With Liverpool shifting shapes more often and needing full-backs who can play inside and out, this isn’t just about finding a left-back—it’s about expanding tactical options.

For a reasonable fee and with the right coaching, De Cuyper could be another example of Liverpool thinking three steps ahead. If Kerkez proves too expensive or drifts towards Madrid or the Etihad, this looks like a very smart Plan B—if not Plan A in disguise.