Former Netherlands midfielder Ruud Gullit has suggested that Liverpool could provide a fitting career move for Frenkie de Jong. The 29-year-old, who has been with Barcelona since 2019, might seek a new club if he loses his starting position after Rodri's transfer to the Catalan giants.
Currently on the mend from a knee injury, De Jong's future could hinge on his ability to regain his place in the team amidst increasing competition.
Gullit stated:
If Frenkie recovers from his injury, he could once again be a viable option for Liverpool or Manchester United, especially following Rodri's move to Barcelona.
His priority must be to get fit, as he now faces stiff competition from Rodri.
The Dutch legend emphasized that De Jong should only consider a transfer if he finds himself sidelined:
If his future lies away from Barcelona, it will be due to a lack of playing time. He should look for a club where he can feature regularly. However, I hope he can still contribute to Barcelona.
He might even be able to play alongside Rodri in the same lineup; it all comes down to what the team needs.
Gullit further spotlighted De Jong's calibre as a top player who needs consistent match time:
Frenkie is a fantastic footballer, but the key for him right now is to be active on the pitch. This is crucial for his performances for the national team and for his personal growth.
This season, Barcelona's midfield has become even more competitive following Rodri's acquisition from Manchester City. De Jong remains sidelined, recovering from his knee injury.
Commenting on Trent Alexander-Arnold's potential return to Liverpool, former England manager Sam Allardyce noted the defender's departure to Real Madrid in 2025, where he is currently vying for a position against Denzel Dumfries.
Allardyce remarked:
At 27, Trent still has plenty of years ahead of him. He is currently at the peak of his career.
Playing for Real Madrid should help him develop further, even though he hasn’t received as much playing time as he’d like.
If he’s not getting regular minutes this season, a return to the Premier League would be wise, and Liverpool would benefit greatly from his services now.
The expert highlighted Alexander-Arnold's key strength:
He excels at breaking down opposition defences. While there have always been questions regarding his defensive abilities, that can be said of many full-backs these days.
His quality in possession and his capacity to unlock defences with both short and long passes remain invaluable assets.
