Joel Ordóñez: Liverpool’s Next Defensive Project?

At £43 million, Joel Ordóñez would not be arriving at Anfield as a finished product, but Liverpool have never been in the business of buying perfection. But what will they be getting?

Liverpool’s defensive rebuild has felt inevitable for some time. Virgil van Dijk remains an elite presence, but time waits for no one. Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation is unresolved, Joe Gomez’s fitness struggles persist, and the unfortunate injury to Giovanni Leoni has further exposed how thin the Reds are at centre-back.

So when reports emerged that Liverpool are closing in on a £43 million move for Club Brugge’s Joel Ordóñez, it felt less like a surprise and more like the next logical step in Arne Slot’s long-term planning.

At 21 years old, Ordóñez is not arriving as a finished article. He is, however, something Liverpool have targeted repeatedly in recent years: a high-upside defender with elite physical tools, strong game intelligence, and the temperament to develop at the top level.

A defender who reads the game first

What stands out immediately when watching Ordóñez is not a crunching tackle or a Hollywood clearance, but his anticipation. He reads danger early, positions himself intelligently, and rarely looks rushed when defending space. That awareness is difficult to teach and often separates good young centre-backs from those who go on to become elite.

His decision-making — when to step out and when to hold the line — is already impressive for a player still learning the nuances of senior football. It’s one of the main reasons he has become a regular starter for Club Brugge and broken into Ecuador’s national side at such a young age.

One-v-one strength, but still learning the dark arts

Ordóñez excels in defensive duels, winning over 72% of them this season. His long stride, recovery speed, and timing make him extremely difficult to beat when isolated. In a high line — something Slot has shown he’s comfortable using — that recovery pace becomes invaluable.

That said, there are areas to refine. He can overcommit in transition, particularly against teams that thrive on quick counters. Champions League encounters against elite attacking sides have exposed that learning curve, though that experience is precisely what Liverpool would be buying into.

Aerially, he’s solid rather than dominant. Despite his 6ft 2in frame, he wins just over half of his aerial duels, largely due to technique and strength rather than positioning. Again, this is not uncommon for a 21-year-old centre-back, especially one still growing into his body.

Comfortable, not flashy, on the ball

In possession, Ordóñez is calm and efficient. He’s not a line-breaking passer in the mould of prime Van Dijk, but he keeps the ball moving, rarely panics under pressure, and boasts an impressive 94% pass completion rate this season.

Liverpool don’t necessarily need another centre-back dictating play — they need reliability, composure, and someone who won’t compromise structure. Ordóñez fits that profile neatly.

£43m: expensive gamble or smart investment?

£43 million is not a small fee, particularly for a defender who would still be classed as a project. But context matters. Ordóñez already has over 100 senior appearances, Champions League experience, international caps, and a contract running until 2029. In today’s market, that combination doesn’t come cheap.

More importantly, Liverpool aren’t just buying what Ordóñez is now — they’re buying what he could be in three or four years. Under Slot, with elite coaching and a clear pathway, this feels like a move aimed squarely at future-proofing the defence.

Final thoughts

Joel Ordóñez would not arrive as Liverpool’s defensive saviour. He would arrive as an investment — one with clear strengths, obvious flaws, and significant upside. Given the current state of Liverpool’s centre-back options, that might be exactly what they need.

If the Reds do pull the trigger at £43m, it won’t be about instant perfection. It will be about patience, development, and trusting that one of Europe’s most promising young defenders can grow into the shirt.

And if he does? Liverpool may look back on this deal as a shrewd piece of long-term planning rather than a gamble.