Liverpool news as Micky van de Ven doubts raised and Alexander Isak claim

Here's the latest Liverpool transfer news and rumors as Dean Saunders questions Micky van de Ven's potential move, while Bayern Munich's Uli Hoeness comments on Alexander Isak's price tag

Micky van de Ven and Alexander Isak in action(Image: Getty Images)

As the summer transfer window draws near, Liverpool's planned approach will undoubtedly become clearer.

Despite splashing out around $600 million last year, further investment may be required at the end of the season to steer the club back toward vying for the most coveted silverware. A poor defense of their Premier League title and tough battles against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the FA Cup and Champions League suggest that the Reds could finish the season without any trophies.

Defense has been a significant weak spot for Arne Slot's side this season, but the Dutch manager has now been advised to shift his focus elsewhere regarding one rumored target. We also look at what a Bayern Munich official has been saying about Alexander Isak.

Van de Ven verdict

Liverpool's reported interest in Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has been widely debated. However, it's a move that the Premier League team should rethink, according to former Reds forward Dean Saunders.

Saunders implied that the Spurs defender's habit of depending on his speed to evade dangerous situations means he cannot be ranked among the world's best, who wouldn't find themselves in those predicaments in the first place.

The former Wales striker told aceodds.com: "When speaking about Micky van de Ven, he is lightning quick, but I have played against defenders like him. I have played against the quickest center-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 center-half pairing as an example. When Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic played, Ferdinand always came off the pitch with no mud on his shorts."

The 61-year-old has cast doubt over whether the Dutchman has the tactical awareness necessary at the highest level, stating: "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. 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."

Isak price tag

It's been a challenging campaign for Alexander Isak, who has battled fitness issues and patchy form before suffering a fractured fibula in December, sidelining him since.

With only three goals from 16 outings following his £125 million ($165 million) transfer, the Swedish forward has plenty to prove.

Alexander Isak's price tag has been called into question by a club chief(Image: Getty Images)

A year ago, the 26-year-old was being mentioned among Europe's elite strikers, with names like Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, and Harry Kane dominating those discussions.

Since then, it's the England skipper who has grabbed that mantle with a remarkable 48 goals in merely 40 matches this campaign.

Kane's exceptional performances since joining Bayern Munich, combined with Isak's troubled first season on Merseyside, have prompted Bayern's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, to aim a jibe at the reigning Premier League champions. Speaking to kicker, the executive stated: "Liverpool's Alexander Isak cost €150 million. If he's worth €150 million, then Harry's worth €250 million."