'Incredible': £21m player says Arne Slot privately 'praised' him after watching what he did against Liverpool

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Liverpool look likely to be in the market for a new defender during 2025.

The Reds have been excellent at the back so far this season but with some ageing legs and doubts over futures, they may need a refresh next year.

The biggest question mark is obviously over captain Virgil van Dijk. While it is expected that Van Dijk will stay at Liverpool, there is still no guarantee.

Besides, the Dutchman will turn 34 next summer and will need replacing in the heart of the Liverpool defence at some stage.

Beyond Van Dijk, though, there is also uncertainty over Joe Gomez’s Liverpool future. If only one of those two should depart, then Arne Slot will need to do something in the market.

As a result, the Reds should be out on the hunt for new additions. And as it turns out, Slot likes what he saw from one defender up against his team this season.

Sam Beukema reveals Arne Slot praise

As Liverpool head coach, Slot will not be completely in charge of who the Reds target in the transfer market, far from it.

However, the Dutchman is still certain to get a portion of the decision making and his input alongside Richard Hughes is set to be important.

As a result, it is interesting to note the words of Bologna defender Sam Beukema, who has claimed that Slot lavished praise on him after the Italian side were beaten 2-0 at Anfield in October.

Slot tried to sign Beukema for Feyenoord before the 26-year-old eventually joined AZ Alkmaar and then moved to Bologna.

READ MORE: What’s going on with new Liverpool contracts for Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz

After playing against them last month Beukema said he dreams of joining Liverpool and now speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio via Get Football, the Bologna man has revealed that Slot was impressed by his display at Anfield.

“In my opinion, he's one of the best coaches in the Netherlands and Europe,” says Beukema.

“After our Champions League game against Liverpool, he praised me and the team, saying, 'It's incredible that we're competing at this level.'”

What are the chances of Liverpool signing Beukema?

Beukema is obviously a big fan of Liverpool and of Slot and with the Reds on the lookout for a new defender, perhaps he can come into the conversation.

However, for the moment it seems unlikely that Liverpool would target a player of Beukema’s ilk.

At 26, the Dutchman is not a young player with potential to bound into. He could still go up a level, but there’s probably not much room left for him to grow.

Potentially available for a reported £21m, Beukema would not be a wholly expensive buy for Liverpool. He has also been an important player for a Bologna side who have overperformed recently.

Nevertheless, that is unlikely to be enough to snag a move to Liverpool.

As a result, we’d have to deduce that, unfortunately for him, Beukema has missed his chance to work with Slot for now.