Liverpool keen on Eredivisie sensation

Manchester United booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals courtesy of a 4-3 victory after extra-time over rivals Liverpool on Sunday. 

The Red Devils took a surprise lead at Old Trafford when Scott McTominay tapped in from close range, but the visitors turned the game on its head with two quick-fire goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah just before half-time.

Winger Antony’s second goal of the season then sent the tie to extra time, where Harvey Elliot put the visitors back in front.

Liverpool looked to be heading for a semi-final at Wembley, before Marcus Rashford’s late strike once again levelled things up.

With just seconds remaining until a penalty shoot out, substitute Amad Diallo rolled in the winner to complete a remarkable match and send United through to the competition’s last four.

Defeat ends the Reds’ hopes of winning a quadruple this season, although Klopp’s side do still remain in contention to add both the Premier League and Europa League to their Carabao Cup success last month.

While Klopp is set to depart Anfield this summer, those in charge of the club are already planning ahead and identifying potential transfer targets.

According to Football Insider, the Merseyside club have been keeping tabs on Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato.

Hato has impressed for Ajax this season

The 18-year-old broke into the first team at Ajax last season and has made a total of 53 appearances for the club across all competitions, including 38 so far this season.

Hato has played every minute of their Eredivisie campaign so far, and has also captained the Dutch giants on a number of occasions.

It is claimed that Liverpool scouts regard the teenager as a ‘proper footballer who can play but currently lacks the physical strength for the Premier League’.

Current Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to depart Anfield, so the Reds are likely to be in the market for a new central defender.

Hato made his senior international debut for the Netherlands in November last year, replacing Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk during a 6-0 win over Gibraltar in Euro 2024 qualifying.

The youngster is currently contracted to Ajax until the end of the 2027/28 campaign.