Liverpool’s winter transfer window has closed with a discreet but intriguing piece of off-field business, now officially confirmed by a Belgian club.
KV Mechelen have revealed that former defender Laurens Paulussen has joined Liverpool in a scouting capacity, with responsibility for Belgium and the Netherlands.
The announcement was made via the club’s official X account, framing the switch as the final “transfer” of the winter window — one that will not have any immediate on-pitch impact, but could prove significant behind the scenes.
At 35, Paulussen is set to begin work as a Liverpool scout in the Benelux region, an area where the club already boast strong links through both recruitment strategy and first-team personnel.
Subtle changes behind the scenes at Liverpool
The appointment aligns with Liverpool’s broader approach under Arne Slot, with the club continuing to make understated adjustments to their football operations.
Slot has already implemented nuanced changes on the training ground and within the club’s structure, and this latest move points to refinement rather than a sweeping overhaul.
Liverpool have not shied away from staff changes this season, most notably when set-piece coach Aaron Briggs was dismissed in late December — a decision that initially drew attention but has since delivered positive results.
Since that change, Liverpool have tightened up defensively, addressing what had been one of their most persistent issues earlier in the campaign.
A recent tactical review highlighted that the Reds went six straight matches without conceding from a set piece following Briggs’ departure, a stark improvement on previous performances.
Seen in that context, expanding scouting coverage in Belgium and the Netherlands appears to be another example of Liverpool chasing marginal gains instead of reacting impulsively.
Who is Laurens Paulussen — and why Belgium matters
Paulussen enjoyed a respectable playing career, making over 260 senior appearances across Belgian football.
He featured for clubs including Waasland-Beveren, KV Mechelen and Westerlo, primarily operating as a right-back or wide midfielder, and built up extensive experience in both the Jupiler Pro League and the Challenger Pro League.
While his playing résumé may not grab headlines, that is rarely the key requirement in scouting.
Liverpool’s recruitment philosophy has long favoured deep local knowledge, strong networks and league-specific expertise over high-profile names.
Belgium, particularly when combined with the Netherlands, continues to be a fertile market — one Liverpool already tap into heavily through Arne Slot and several senior squad members.
By appointing a dedicated scout in the region, Liverpool appear keen to identify emerging talent early rather than entering bidding wars at the elite end of the market.
It also reinforces how the club are backing Slot with gradual, calculated changes rather than bold public gestures.
This may not have been a transfer window filled with eye-catching headlines for Liverpool, but moves like this suggest a long-term strategy quietly progressing in the background
