David Hancko missed a crucial spot-kick as Feyenoord exited the UEFA Europa League on penalties to Roma on Thursday night.
But it was his performance over the 120 minutes that came previously which went a long way to explaining why, as has been confirmed to HITC Football, Liverpool have identified the Slovakia international as a target as they look to bring a new, left-sided central defender to Anfield in the summer.
“We are in contact not only with these two clubs,” agent Branislav Jasurek told TN in January, conforming interest from Liverpool and PSG as well as “others who are looking into David’s situation.”
Hancko was a key cog in Feyenoord’s Eredivisie winning machine in 2023. And while it’s one thing dominating the centre-forwards on offer at NEC Nijmegen, RKC Waalwijk and Excelsior, that last-32 clash with Roma in the Europa League offered Hancko the opportunity to showcase his talents against top-level opposition.
Not to mention a centre-forward for whom this is his competition.
David Hancko justifies Liverpool interest
Romelu Lukaku headed into Thursday’s clash at the Stadio Olimpico with 21 goals in his last 17 continental games. That the Roma striker did not take his tally to 22, however, had much to do with the stellar defensive performancs of Hancko. Plus, of course, his young centre-half partner Thomas Beelen.
Hancko made a game-high 10 clearances. There were two interceptions and three blocks as well as he and Beelen ensured Lukaku – the Belgian to the Europa League what Cristiano Ronaldo was to the Champions League – barely had a sniff of goal on the night (WhoScored).
Hancko also completed a highly-impressive 96 per cent of his passes. Always a fine distributor from the back, the former Sparta Prague star’s passing range and his qualities in a possession-based approach are two of the main reasons why he has become such an integral part of the Arne Slot gameplan in Rotterdam.
Feyenoord ace an all-round centre-back
It also goes some way to explaining why Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are so keen. Elite-level clubs want defenders who can not only stop attacks but start them too. And Hancko certainly possesses many of the attributes those A-list institutions tend to look for.
Attributes which were in full effect even as Feyenoord exited the Europa League in heartbreaking circumstances.
“It looked like he was stuck to Lukaku with glue,” writes Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, praising the Liverpool target for his man-marking job on the former Manchester United and Chelsea striker.
“The Belgian was only given space with his back to the goal. Hancko was precise in his marking, tough in the duels and, in almost all duels, he outsmarted Lukaku. Only the missed penalty was a blemish on his evening.”
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