Lewis Steele rules out Liverpool move for Premier League star

Lewis Steele rules out Liverpool move for Premier League star Liverpool Links to Micky van de Ven Played Down by Lewis Steele Liverpool’s search for defensive depth was one of the more intriguing threads in the latest Media Matters podcast from Anfield Index, where Dave Davis and Lewis Steele discussed transfer priorities beyond the headline pursuit of Yan Diomande. One name raised was Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, a player long admired by sections of the Liverpool fanbase. Yet Steele was careful to cool the idea that this is currently a live or advanced Liverpool move. Van de Ven Talk Loses Momentum Davis framed the discussion by referencing reports from Holland about “Liverpool or Barcelona” interest in Van de Ven, while also noting that other journalists had pushed back on the claim. “Alex Crook shot that down. Fabrizio Romano’s now shot that down,” Davis said, before moving the discussion towards other defensive names. That led Steele to offer a cautious view on Van de Ven. His assessment was not that Liverpool had no need for a centre half, but that this particular link did not appear to be gathering pace. “We’ve seen the Van de Ven stuff but it doesn’t sound like that’s a go,” Steele said. He then suggested the source of the noise could be elsewhere. “I do think that’s maybe pushed a bit from the agent side,” Steele added. Agent Angle Raises Doubts Steele went further by pointing out a possible reason the speculation had emerged. “He shares an agent with a couple of Liverpool players actually,” he said, before clarifying, “or Gravenberch anyway.” That observation matters because transfer windows are often filled with stories designed to create leverage. Steele did not present Van de Ven as a Liverpool priority. Instead, he suggested the speculation may have another purpose. “I do wonder if that is where that’s coming from to get a new Spurs deal,” Steele said. For Liverpool supporters hoping for a major move for Van de Ven, that was a clear note of caution. The player’s profile is obvious enough. Davis referenced that Van de Ven is “a Liverpool fan” and that “if everything was equal, he wants to come to Liverpool,” but the discussion made clear that admiration and action are very different things. Photo: IMAGO Defensive Need Still Clear Although Steele played down Van de Ven specifically, he did not dismiss Liverpool’s need for another defender. In fact, the opposite came through strongly. “I think they do need to sign a centre-back but it is a bit quiet on that front at the moment,” Steele said. Earlier in the conversation, he explained why Liverpool’s defensive situation remains uncertain. “Konate’s left, we’re not sure how good Leon is going to be and how fit he’s going to be able to keep himself after missing nearly a year,” he said. He also questioned how quickly another defender could adjust. “We’re not sure how quickly Jeremy Jacquet is going to settle into the Premier League and English football.” That leaves Liverpool with a difficult balance. Virgil van Dijk remains central, but Steele warned about the lack of Premier League certainty around those behind him. “You think they probably do need to sign a defender, but it is a bit quiet.” Liverpool May Look Elsewhere Davis then turned the conversation to Crystal Palace defender Max Lacroix, asking whether that name remained viable. Steele’s answer was again cautious, but less dismissive than his response on Van de Ven. “I’ve not had it shot down. Definitely not. I’ve not had it shot up either if that’s a concept.” He added that Liverpool had “definitely looked at him in the past,” while stressing that “in the past is probably the key thing there.” The overall picture from Anfield Index was clear. Liverpool may need a centre back, but Micky van de Ven does not appear to be a serious current pursuit based on Steele’s information. As he put it, “it doesn’t sound like that’s a go.” For now, the Tottenham defender looks more like transfer window noise than a developing Liverpool move.