If a recent report from Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad is believed to be true, Liverpool have registered their interest in Club Brugge defender Maxim De Cuyper ahead of a potential summer swoop. But they are not alone in the race with Premier League rivals Arsenal, as well as Sevilla, Marseille, Ajax and Wolfsburg keeping close tabs on the 23-year-old left fullback.
Having progressed through the academy ranks of the Blue-Black, the Red Devils international made significant strides to secure a senior status against Manchester United in both legs of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 encounters.
Besides some sporadic first-team appearances, De Cuyper spent the 2020-21 campaign in Belgium’s second tier with Brugge’s reserve team Club NXT. A two-year loan spell with Westerlo helped him develop his game and eventually cement a regular role at his boyhood outfit from last summer onwards.
Despite penning a contract extension earlier this week which runs until June 2028, De Cuyper is expected to leave Belgium for Europe’s top five leagues in the coming days. He was pivotal to Brugge’s 2023-24 Jupiler Pro League triumph as his pace, flair and aggression down the left-hand flank tick the boxes for a modern-day fullback.
Why Liverpool Should Snap Him Up
Liverpool have Kostas Tsimikas in their ranks to challenge and cover Andrew Robertson. But the Greek fullback has not done enough to impress in 86 appearances over the past four seasons. Robertson had persistent injury woes in recent months and the club, therefore, must aim for a long-term successor of the Tartan Army skipper.
The Reds also have Joe Gomez who often appeared as a makeshift left-back. However, the Englishman is not a natural in that role considering his limitations in the attacking third. Youngsters like Owen Beck and Luke Chambers have shown promises both out on loan and for the reserves, but they are not ready yet for immediate Premier League football.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also in the hunt for De Cuyper with no outright left-back available other than Oleksandr Zinchenko. Outcast Kieran Tierney is expected to part ways before the transfer deadline day, and so is Jakub Kiwior, particularly after Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival earlier this window.
The Azzurri centre-back along with right fullback Takehiro Tomiyasu might slot in on the left, but the gaffer Mikel Arteta could still rope in a new name to bolster their battle for silverware. It remains to be seen whether the Merseysiders step up the chase having failed to strengthen the squad since Arne Slot’s appointment as the new Anfield boss.
