Liverpool gets warning over Micky van de Ven transfer in Rio Ferdinand comparison

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Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has questioned whether Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has the football intelligence to succeed at Anfield

Micky van de Ven has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has questioned whether Micky van de Ven possesses the tactical awareness required to thrive at Anfield.

While the Tottenham Hotspur defender is frequently lauded for his recovery speed when dealing with opposition attackers, ex-Reds and Wales forward Saunders believes elite defenders avoid finding themselves in such precarious positions, pointing to former Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand as the perfect example of someone who mastered this skill.

Van de Ven has been touted for a summer switch to Anfield as Spurs face an ongoing relegation battle, though Saunders suggests Liverpool might be better served exploring alternative options.

"When speaking about Micky van de Ven, he is lightning quick, but I have played against defenders like him," Saunders told aceodds.com.

"I have played against the quickest centre-backs in the world, but it was never a problem for me. Being a top defender is all about your brain.

"It doesn't matter being quick if you don't have the brain. It helps you recover from mistakes, but you shouldn't make those mistakes to start.

"I want to bring in Man United's former centre half pairing as an example. When Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic played, Ferdinand always came off the pitch with no mud on his shorts.

"Ferdinand would read the situation and get there before the striker, and I am just not sure if Van de Ven's football brain is that good and if he can read the game. At this level, everything is about speed of thought.

Former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand(Image: Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)

"How can I get the ball before Erling Haaland? His brain is fantastic, and I just don't see it with Van de Ven. Ferdinand used to get the ball before me and other defenders were running after me. I am really not sure about Van de Ven and his brain."

Saunders acknowledges that Liverpool confront a formidable challenge in ultimately succeeding Virgil van Dijk, whose deal concludes next summer, and Ibrahima Konaté, whose existing agreement finishes at the conclusion of this campaign.

Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck has been associated with a switch to Merseyside alongside Van de Ven, though Saunders suggests the demands facing any newcomer to the Reds will be considerable.

"Well, to be honest, I have not seen enough of Nico Schlotterbeck," he continued. "I just have to state that if you are playing as a centre half for Liverpool, you have to be one of the best in your position in the world. It is not enough just to be a good player.

"It will be nearly impossible to replace Van Dijk and I actually think Konate is a very good player as well. Of course, he has suffered, but anyone would suffer if they have had seven different right backs playing aside you."