I've watched reported Liverpool target play and he's special - I call him the new Andrea Pirlo

Liverpool remain top of the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace , but Arne Slot could still look to strengthen his squad.

The Dutchman has enjoyed an excellent start in his first seven games in charge, with highlights undoubtedly coming in the form of a 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United and an identical scoreline against Bournemouth. However, it is reported that Alot could be considering bringing in a new centre midfielder in the January window - with one name in mind.

The Reds have been linked with PSV Eindhoven baller, Joey Veerman, who has enjoyed a top-class start to the current Eredivisie campaign. And if Rafael van der Vaart's assessment of the 25-year-old are anything to go by, Liverpool may want to jump at the chance of bringing him to the north west.

As reported by Football Oranje , Van Der Vaart explained: "I’m exaggerating enormously, but I call him a bit the Pirlo of Heerenveen. When he touches the ball, something special always comes out of his feet. Delicious balls, all tailor-made. It all looks very easy for him.

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"It took no effort for Pirlo either. Everything is so relaxed, off the cuff. He also likes to play football. I like it when a player does that." Meanwhile, Heerenveen board member Hans Westerhof told AD of the midfield mastermind: "He has exceptional qualities. How he passes a ball over 50 meters… I don’t even see Frenkie de Jong doing that."

Veerman has been a key man for Eindhoven since signing from Heerenveen in 2022 - scoring 23 goals and bagging 45 assists in 124 appearances, despite being a more defensively-minded midfielder. Thanks to his playing style and precise passing, Van Der Vaart has drawn similarities between him and Inter, AC Milan and Juventus great Pirlo - who Carlo Ancelotti once described as able to "spot a pass in a split-second that lesser players could spend a whole lifetime waiting to see".

And with his contract expiring in July 2026, many footballing fans believe that it's only a matter of time until Veerman makes the move to a bigger club. Liverpool have achieved success with Ryan Gravenberch in the centre of the park thus far. However, new boss Slot looked to bring in Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in the summer to give his team a cutting edge and a little more depth.

He was ultimately unsuccessful in his endeavours, with the 25-year-old showing loyalty to the team which he has spent the entirety of his senior career - a move which may have proved unfruitful for Zubimendi in the long run. After eight games played, Sociedad currently sit 16th in the La Liga standings with two wins, two draws and four losses to their name.

In stark contrast, with Veerman impressing on the pitch, PSV sit first in the Eredivisie with seven wins from seven and are in pole position for back-to-back league titles. If Liverpool want to bring Veerman to Anfield, they may have to fight stiff competition for his signature in the coming months.

That's because Arsenal and Newcastle United have also reportedly shown an interest in him, as they look to strengthen their own respective sides while pushing on for the Premier League title.