Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Caoimhe O'Neill

Ki-Jana Hoever discusses Liverpool future and explains preferred position

Liverpool youngster Ki-Jana Hoever has lifted the lid on what position he prefers to play in and what the future holds for him at Anfield.

The Netherlands-born teenager arrived on Merseyside in September, 2018 from boyhood club Ajax.

After an impressive first year Hoever signed his first professional contract with the club last summer.

In a special question and answer session hosted by Bleacher Report the defender has opened up on a whole host of topics with questions asked by fans on Instagram.

A Real Madrid supporter asked: "Could you ever see yourself at a different club? *cough Real Madrid cough*".

And Hoever simply replied: "I'm very happy at Liverpool."

Join our Liverpool live blog HERE for the latest news and transfers

Another question posed to the young defender was about if he had to play for another Premier League club and which one would it be.

"I'm happy at Liverpool," the Dutchman repeated. "I can't say there's any other club I'd rather play at.

"Before joining Liverpool I just like watch the PL for the competition, but my love is for Liverpool now."

Hoever also explained what his preferred position is - with the youngster having been deployed as both a centre-back and right-back.

He confirmed: "I see myself as a right back at the moment. I'm a right back that can play center back.

"I'm not physically ready to player center back for a whole season. Maybe when I'm 25 I might be ready, but as I right back I like the attacking aspect.

"I have a vision in my game like Trent [Alexander-Arnold], where I can put people away. I think I can be somebody who sets up and assists other players."

With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Neco Williams currently ahead of him in the pecking order at full-back, Hoever was asked about whether a loan move to a Championship club might be on the horizon.

The 18-year-old said: "It's important that I play games on the highest level possible.

"It's hard to balance a few games at the highest level or a lot of games at a lower level. I have to figure out what's best for me and the right answer will present itself."

A similar question cropped up and Hoever sent a similar response.

It said: "I'd like to play at the highest level possible as many games as possible.

"I know I'm ready to play men's football. No more youth anymore. I'd like to do the big work now. If I go on loan, 30 games. If I stay at Liverpool, maybe more like 10 games."

On what it is like learning from compatriot Virgil van Dijk in training, the teenager told: "It's the same for me…a privilege.

"I'm blessed to be able to do that everyday. Virgil is the best defender in the world today. He's amazing with the ball.

"He speaks Dutch to me in training and I can understand things even better. I go to him after training and ask questions and he is willing to answer all my questions."

Hoever also admitted his favourite player to play alongside is Roberto Firmino.

He added: "Everyone is super talented at Liverpool, but if it's just one, I'll pick Bobby Firmino.

"It's because of the skills he has and he does the unexpected on every play."

Take our Liverpool end of season survey here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.