Ajax prospect Jorrel Hato has addressed the speculation surrounding his presence at Liverpool’s 4-1 Premier League win over Ipswich Town on Saturday night. The young Netherlands international has been linked with a move to England in past transfer windows, leading to interest in his appearance at the Reds’ match.
Since the arrival of Arne Slot in the summer, Slot’s team has been performing at a high level, sitting at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League standings while remaining active in domestic cup competitions. Despite their strong form, there has still been ongoing talk about potential areas for improvement.
While Andy Robertson has been a reliable left-back option for Liverpool since joining in 2017, his recent errors this season have sparked discussions, including from club legend Jamie Carragher, who has pointed to the left-back position as one that needs attention.
Hato, who can play in that role, is also an emerging talent as a central defender. With Virgil van Dijk’s contract set to expire in the summer, speculation about his future continues, and even if he stays for a few more years, the club will need to plan for life after one of the Premier League’s top defenders.
Hato Explains His Visit to Liverpool
The 18-year-old explained his presence at the game, revealing that his close friend, Ryan Gravenberch, had invited him: “Ryan Gravenberch invited me to see Liverpool.”
When asked whether he had spoken to anyone from the club, Hato dismissed the idea, stating: “No, no, I just spoke with Ryan Gravenberch there. The atmosphere? It was top, they played well.”
When pressed about whether Liverpool could be a future destination for him, Hato offered a non-committal response: “Could be… I don’t know.” So far this season, Hato has made 31 appearances, scoring three goals and providing five assists.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently confirmed that the club is already planning for summer transfers, stating in an interview with Gary Lineker for BBC Sport: “I do know we’re definitely working on strengthening in the summer.”
‘It was top’ – 18 y/o defender breaks silence on why he was in crowd for Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich
