Who is Maxim De Cuyper? The left-back Liverpool want to REPLACE Andy Robertson

The Belgian international is among the list of options Liverpool are looking at this summer.

Anfield Watch revealed exclusively that Maxim De Cuyper is on the Reds' radar as someone who could potentially replace Andy Robertson in the years to come.

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The 24-year-old is viewed as an alternative option to Milos Kerkez, who is still the club's first choice candidate but for whom interest continues to grow from the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City as well.

The added interest combined with Bournemouth's £45m+ asking price has forced Liverpool to consider alternative options.

Among them, De Cuyper is high on the list at the club.

The Club Brugge defender is seen as an exciting talent and someone who Liverpool's scouts have followed for a long time.

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Who is Maxim De Cuyper?

Born on 22nd December 2000, De Cuyper has come through the youth ranks at Club Brugge. He started out playing as a winger during the beginning of his career.

It was during a two-year loan at Westerlo that he transitioned into more of a wing-back. Gradually, he's retreated even deeper during his years breaking through at Club Brugge.

Over the last season, he's mostly been playing as a full-back in a back four with the Belgian side, occasionally covering at right-back when he needed to as well.

That versatility combined with his work-rate having covered the second most ground in the Champions League (132km) for Club Brugge is what appeals to Liverpool.

De Cuyper is a disciplined defender. He won 10 of his 11 defensive duels against Manchester City and won the most duels (10) and tackles (3) in the first leg of Club Brugge's tie against Aston Villa in the Champions League.

In total he's won close to 70% of his 6.5 defensive duels per 90 minutes in the competition.

He's a very creative player as well. As per FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes (7.44 per 90), expected assisted-goals (0.36 per 90) and for shot-creating-actions among full-backs in the next 14 competitions outside of Europe's top five leagues.

So he's a good defender and someone who can thrive offensively by creating chances for his opponents.

In this sense, he's definitely a player who ticks a lot of boxes for Liverpool. He's capable of covering a lot of ground, create chances and thrive defensively.

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It's the perfect package for Liverpool and that is why he is on Richard Hughes' radar.