Liverpool’s defensive woes seem to be gaining steam as the Reds were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham recently. There are many who have blamed the goalkeeper for the mistakes that led to the two goals but the Reds have struggled to keep the opposition out for most of the season.
Anytime either Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip miss out on the starting XI, it spells problems for the side and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants to correct this as soon as possible. The manager is all set to make a signing in the winter window and the Gazette believes Klopp will look to sign Jamaal Lascelles from Newcastle United.
The team from the Championship are riding high under Rafael Benitez and look set for a return to the Premier League but Lascelles has been a rock at the back for the Magpies. The 23-year-old is the Newcastle captain and it has been reported that the Merseyside club had sent scouts over to watch the player in action.
Lascelles did pretty well in the 4-0 win over Birmingham away from home and it is expected that the Reds will keep a track on him for the remaining weeks.
The English defender is also a reported target for Antonio Conte and Chelsea and it could lead to a major fight between the two Premier League clubs as they look to strengthen their defence.
Newcastle are set to play hardball
Rafa Benitez knows that losing out on a player that has made 22 appearances this season and is only getting better would be a negative move. Lascelles might have recently been made the captain but it was done for a reason that is to keep him at the club for as long as possible.
Liverpool do have history with Newcastle as they had signed Andy Carroll for a record £35 million for the former Newcastle striker and there were reports suggesting that Chelsea were ready to bid £18 million for the current Newcastle defender.
Losing out on Lascelles would also put a huge spanner in the works as the Magpies look to return to the Premier League this season. Benitez would know that Liverpool and Chelsea will have a lot of money to spend but even a crazy bid might not tempt the Spaniard to deal with either club.
The 23-year-old defender does have a bright future ahead of him but moving to either Chelsea or Liverpool would only stagnate his career as he would not be in the starting XI too many times. Lascelles would probably be used for cover and that would not be the best move for him.
Sticking to Newcastle seems to be the right thing to do at the moment and Klopp must look at other players who could be a better value, such as Jose Fonte, as they look to make the defence water tight.
