Liverpool may have just dropped big Joel Ordonez hint as new Anfield hire confirmed

Liverpool has been heavily linked with Ecuador international Joel ORdonez this summer as the club looks to improve its defensive options, and it may have dropped a hint over the move

Joel Ordonez was reportedly of interest to Liverpool

Liverpool has hired a new scout focusing on Belgium and the Netherlands amid their reported chase of Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez.

The 21-year-old is regarded by some as among the most highly-rated defensive talents in Europe as the Reds reportedly held an interest in bringing him to Anfield. However, the reigning Premier League champions opted not to make a move for the Ecuador international during the January transfer window.

Regardless of Liverpool's decision not to chase a deal for the centre back, he was subject of a $49.6 million (£34.6 million) rejected bid from Crystal Palace - who sold Marc Guehi the same month to Manchester City.

With Ordonez's future remaining up in the air, a possible move to Anfield possibly remains on the cards thanks to the hiring of ex-Mechelen left-back Laurens Paulussen. The Reds have been aiming to expand their scouting networks across Europe and the Belgian scout has now left Mechelen to work as a scout in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The Belgian top division club announced: "The final transfer of the winter transfer window is a fact. Scout and former player Laurens Paulussen is making the move to Liverpool Football Club. Laurens will start working for Liverpool FC as a scout in Belgium – Netherlands. The club is particularly proud and wishes Laurens every success."

Paulussen's intimate knowledge of the Belgian Pro League may hint in their interest and potential signing of Ordonez with Liverpool remaining in need of defensive signings. While defensive reinforcements weren't brought in the winter window, it wasn't due to a want of trying from the club.

Joel Ordonez was chased by Crystal Palace in the January transfer window(Image: EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)

The Reds were close to signing to Lutsharel Geertruida on loan but the deal was reportedly too complex to complete with Slot admitting the Dutchman's arrival would have helped his injury-hit backline.

"I think I've said that we've tried to strengthen the squad, so that probably tells you [I wanted players] and I don't think I was the only one who wanted that," Slot said in his pre-match press conference. "But it's always about availability and the right player.

"We do have discussions about what is good for the short and for the long term of the club and now, for example, Jeremy Jacquet wasn't available for the winter, but he was for the summer. We've made a decision to sign him because we think he's a really good signing for the future of this club.

Arne Slot didn't bring in defensive reinforcements in the winter(Image: AFP or licensors)

"I'm very happy with the squad. Let that be clear. But it's all clear and obvious, that we have three long-term injuries (Bradley, Leoni, Alexander Isak). That's why we've tried to strengthen the squad in winter break and the player you mentioned (Geertruida), in the end, wasn't available. But we've tried to strengthen the squad - that is clear.

"And that tells you that we think that it would have helped us. But it should be possible that we're not gonna sign players that are not good enough to play for this club."