Liverpool remain on the lookout for a new centre-back but Real Madrid could be about to rival them in the transfer market
Despite Jurgen Klopp’s admission back in May that Liverpool were in the market for a new centre-back, the Reds ultimately failed to strengthen the position this summer.
But that doesn’t mean the Reds won’t look to strengthen further defensively in the next 12 months. In truth, they can’t afford not to, with Van Dijk comfortably on the wrong side of 30, Matip out of contract next summer and expected to move on, and both Konate and Gomez historically prone to injury. However, the agent would later clarify such comments and insist his response had been lost in translation.
Admittedly, the Reds’ position could change. While they had been targeting a young, left-sided centre-back as initial back-up who could develop into a long-term replacement for Matip or Van Dijk and also play at left-back, Quansah’s own emergence fills that gradual successor role - albeit without being left-sided. As a result, Liverpool could, theoretically, tweak their desired profile of a new centre-back if/when Matip moves on.
However, such business has been at the expense of other arrivals. Elsewhere, they have made the most out of free transfers, loan signings, cut-price fees, returning loanees, and buy-back options to bolster the rest of their squad. Fran Garcia has played there the most this season after the 24-year-old rejoined the club in the summer from Rayo Vallecano after activating his €5m buyback clause, having blown their transfer budget on Bellingham. Ferland Mendy is their other proven option, but the 28-year-old’s recurring injury woes are what makes left-back a problem position at the Bernabeu in the first place.
Transfermarkt credits the Ecuador international as making 38 appearances at centre-back for Bayer Leverkusen, and 32 at left-back. Meanwhile, seven outings attributed to playing left-midfield were essentially being utilised as a left wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation. Such versatility would tick both Liverpool and Real Madrid’s boxes.
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