Pundit: Why Liverpool FC won’t sign Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt
Liverpool FC legend Steve Nicol doesn't believe the Reds will sign Ajax centre-half Matthijs de Ligt this summer
Liverpool FC won’t sign Matthijs de Ligt because Jurgen Klopp already has a top defensive prospect in the shape of Joe Gomez, according to ESPN pundit Steve Nicol.
The Netherlands international has been linked with a potential move to the Anfield outfit over the past couple of months following Ajax’s sensational run to the Champions League semi-final.
De Ligt has also been attracting interest from a host of European football’s top clubs, including Liverpool FC’s bitter rivals Manchester City and Manchester United.
The 19-year-old is Virgil van Dijk’s centre-half partner in the Netherlands set up following his emergence as an exiting defensive talent at Ajax over the past couple of seasons.
Liverpool FC have relied heavily upon Joel Matip in the second half of the season following Joe Gomez’s injury in a 3-1 win at Burnley back in early December.
However, former Reds defender Nicol believes that Klopp doesn’t need De Ligt given that Liverpool FC already have Gomez in their ranks.
“If Liverpool’s got a wish list, then this guy would be on it,” Nicol told ESPN.
“No question he is the up and coming young centre-back in world football.
“He’s only 19 years old but already he has a maturity and a class about him that belies being 19.
“So for Liverpool, would this guy fit?
“Can you imagine him sat beside Van Dijk? I certainly can envision it.
“However, I’m not quite so sure that Liverpool would turn around and spent the type of money that it would cost for this guy.
“The fact that they have Gomez, they’re probably looking at him as the future.
“So unfortunately I don’t think he’s going to go to Liverpool.
“But my goodness, I would love to have him there.”
Liverpool FC were 4-0 winners against FC Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night to book their place in the Madrid final next month.
The Reds will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on 1 June.
The Merseyside outfit lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Kiev showpiece last term.
