Report: Reds Looking to Replace Half The Defence With Bournemouth Stars | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye £80m Double Swoop for Huijsen and Kerkez

Liverpool’s Defence Overhaul Targets Two Rising Stars

Liverpool are setting their sights firmly on bolstering their defensive ranks this summer, with an ambitious move for Bournemouth duo Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez firmly on the agenda, according to GiveMeSport. Following their Premier League title triumph, the Reds are wasting no time preparing for the future under Arne Slot.

Andy Robertson is expected to remain at Anfield next season, but with the Scotland international turning 31, Liverpool know succession planning is crucial. Konstantinos Tsimikas, meanwhile, faces an uncertain future, having struggled to establish himself since his move from Olympiacos.

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Huijsen and Kerkez Stand Out in Breakthrough Season

Dean Huijsen, the Spanish international centre-back, and Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez have enjoyed outstanding breakthrough campaigns at the Vitality Stadium. Their consistent performances have been instrumental in Bournemouth’s push towards European football, impressing not only defensively but also with their contributions during transitions and set-piece situations.

Huijsen, 20, and Kerkez, 21, have quickly established themselves among the Premier League’s most highly sought-after young defenders, with Liverpool positioning themselves at the front of the queue.

£80 Million Bid Prepared for Bournemouth Duo

Reports from Spain indicate that Liverpool are preparing an ‘ambitious €95 million (£80m) proposal’ to bring both Huijsen and Kerkez to Anfield. After opting against major signings in January, the Reds have significant funds available and are prioritising defensive reinforcements.

Huijsen’s current contract reportedly contains a release clause worth £50m, and GIVEMESPORT sources state Liverpool have held ‘positive talks’ with his representatives. Interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid adds competitive tension, but Liverpool are pushing hard to secure the Amsterdam-born talent, who joined Bournemouth from AS Roma in July 2024.

Virgil van Dijk’s recent contract renewal offers stability at the heart of defence, yet Liverpool are eager to strengthen further. Young centre-back Jarell Quansah has drawn attention from Newcastle United and could depart if Huijsen arrives at Anfield.

Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez – 2024/25 Premier League Stats

Dean Huijsen Radar Chart Analysis (2024/25)

Dean Huijsen’s radar chart highlights an incredibly well-rounded centre-back, particularly excelling in attacking metrics compared to his peers over the last 365 days.

In the attacking phase, Huijsen posts exceptional numbers. His expected assisted goals (xAG) and non-penalty expected goals (npxG) are in the 97th and 84th percentiles respectively, showcasing his major threat from set-pieces and advanced positions. His shot-creating actions (95th percentile) also underline his rare creativity for a defender. His assist metric sits in the 98th percentile, an outstanding figure that reflects his sharp passing instincts and vision.

Defensively, Huijsen’s profile is solid but not uniformly elite. He is in the 97th percentile for clearances and 91st percentile for blocks, indicating strong last-ditch defensive qualities. His tackles plus interceptions (Tkl+Int) sit at a respectable 70th percentile, suggesting he is adept at disrupting play but does not overly rely on tackles, possibly preferring positioning and anticipation.

However, a slight dip appears in aerial duels won (48th percentile) and percentage of dribblers tackled (35th percentile). This suggests that although he can contest aerial balls, there is room for improvement, particularly in direct defensive duels against quick, skilful attackers.

In possession, Huijsen shines brightly. He ranks in the 92nd percentile for progressive carries and 83rd percentile for progressive passes, highlighting his composure and forward-thinking nature. His lower percentile for passes attempted (27%) and pass completion (64%) could reflect either a tactical style favouring riskier passes or areas for improvement in consistency.

Overall, Dean Huijsen offers an exciting blend of progressive ball-carrying, chance creation, and robust defensive basics. His data strongly supports why Liverpool and other top clubs view him as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.

Milos Kerkez Radar Chart Analysis (2024/25)

Milos Kerkez’s radar chart paints the picture of an energetic, attacking-minded full-back with clear strengths in ball progression and offensive contribution.

In the attacking metrics, Kerkez is highly effective compared to his positional peers. He ranks in the 79th percentile for assists and 63rd percentile for expected assisted goals (xAG), signalling that he is a reliable outlet in the final third. His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) also sit at a respectable 48th percentile, and his non-penalty goals output is higher at 64%, showing a genuine goal threat from wide areas.

Kerkez’s real standout quality is his ball-carrying ability. He ranks in the 85th percentile for progressive carries, highlighting how comfortably he moves the ball upfield. His progressive passes and progressive passes received sit around the 60th and 66th percentiles respectively, underlining his role in starting attacking moves from deep.

However, in possession-based statistics, he is more modest. His passes attempted (22nd percentile) and pass completion (34th percentile) suggest that he is not heavily involved in intricate build-up play or is tasked with riskier passes, possibly by design under Bournemouth’s system.

Defensively, Kerkez’s numbers are solid but not elite. His tackles plus interceptions (Tkl+Int) rate is 59th percentile, showing reasonable defensive output. He scores 68% for percentage of dribblers tackled, a positive sign for one-on-one defending, though his aerial ability (5th percentile in aerials won) is a notable weakness.

Overall, Milos Kerkez is a dynamic, forward-thinking full-back whose aggressive ball progression and attacking output make him an appealing prospect for a team like Liverpool, although there are areas defensively and in aerial duels that would require further development at the very top level.

Competition for Kerkez Heating Up

Liverpool may find signing Kerkez trickier than securing Huijsen. The Hungarian international, dubbed ‘world-class’ by Bournemouth supporters, has three years remaining on his current deal, and crucially, no release clause to trigger.

This means the Cherries are under no pressure to sell unless a significant offer comes in. As a result, Liverpool are keeping their options open. Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has emerged as an alternative target, with the American full-back potentially available for around £40m. At 27, Robinson would bring more experience, although many within Liverpool’s recruitment department are believed to prefer him to Kerkez.

Regardless, Liverpool’s intentions are clear: to reinforce their defence with exciting young talent as they prepare for a fresh era under Slot, aiming to build a dynasty off the back of their latest league triumph.