Liverpool is supposedly keen on young Ajax defender Jorrel Hato. And it has already received some transfer encouragement from former captain Jordan Henderson.

Departing Anfield in the summer of 2023, Henderson initially moved to the Saudi Pro League to play under Steven Gerrard. But that proved to be an ill-fated spell, and he made the switch to Ajax the following January.

There, he has been playing alongside Hato, the teenager who made his debut for the club in 2023. And it seems Henderson would be in favor of Arne Slot making a play in the transfer market.

Hato was allegedly spotted at Anfield as Liverpool cruised past Ipswich 4-1 at the weekend. Of course, if it was really him in amongst the crowd, he may simply have been on a pleasure trip — like Lutsharel Geertruida last season.

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But TeamTalk has since reported that Liverpool is indeed pushing for Hato. It was weighing up a summer move, but may now accelerate a transfer to January amid interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Henderson has given a glowing endorsement. Speaking last season, he spoke very highly of Hato:

"It's crazy how young he is, but obviously how mature he looks when he's on the pitch and also off the pitch," he told the Ajax website, via the ECHO. "He's a very mature person. Works hard. Fantastic player. And yeah, he has a bright future ahead of him, I'm sure.

"I think he just needs to continue to do what he's he's been doing. Obviously it's been working for him, but, yeah, I'll try to help him.

"And also, the players if they ask for a little bit of advice off the field. If I can help them I'm sure I'll try and do that, of course."

Hato may well be asking for advice from Henderson if he gets the call from Liverpool. And the 34-year-old would be well-placed to put in a good word, having lifted every major trophy during his time at Anfield.

Of course, much has changed in the 18 months he has been away. Jurgen Klopp has been replaced by Slot, and Hato, 18, would ultimately be looking to displace one of Henderson's old teammates.

Capable of playing as a center-back or left-back, Hato could challenge Andy Robertson for a place in the side. It's claimed that the uncertainty around Virgil van Dijk is also prompting Liverpool to take a close look.

But ultimately, the brilliant work done by Slot is very much building on the foundations laid by Klopp. Perhaps the best team in the world right now, Liverpool sells itself even without a helping hand from Henderson — but if nothing else, his verdict on Hato speaks volumes.