Despite signings seven players into the squad, it seems like Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp is still looking to add more numbers into the team as to make them title contenders yet again. There were many players, who were linked with a move to Anfield, and to be very fair here, there is a need to add more depth, especially in the left area and the central area.
The squad now already have the services of Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip for the defensive area, yet there were reports that Klopp is still searching the market to sign a centre-half and a very surprising face came into light. The former Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen, who failed badly to put an impact in Barcelona’s squad, was heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League and Anfield was the reported destination for the Belgian defender, but recently, the 30-year-old has recently signed for the Italian giants AS Roma on a season-long loan and that will lead Liverpool’s manager to search for an alternative in the market.
Well, very recently, the manager hinted about the possibility of more incoming as in an interview, he said:
“I’m happy with the squad but then on the injury side if something happens we have to react, that’s how it is. We have a few more players than you can bring in a line-up, that’s true, but we already have a few injuries in positions that are not too good for us,” Klopp admitted.
“We have to keep our eyes open, that’s absolutely clear, and we will do this. Until August 31, [as long as] something is possible for us, why should I say it’s over? We have the possibility to react if we need to and that’s what we will do I’m pretty sure.”
Now, with Vermaelen gone, we give you two alternatives that Liverpool can consider:
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San Jose:
The 27-year-old Spanish central defender could well be a great alternative. Capped more than 250 times for Athletic Bilbao, San Jose has been there for the club through every thick and thin and has been a key figure for the squad. Besides that, the 27-year-old could well be utilized on the defensive midfield if required and that makes him a great utility player.
His major strengths are his aerial abilities and that is the one aspect Liverpool have been suffering a lot, hence, Jose could prove to be a worthy singing. Besides that, he is known for his well-timed tackles and wonderful ability to react to touch situations. All in all, he will be a great addition for the squad.
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Aleksandar Dragovic:
The 25-year-old Austrian international is surely a surprising name in the list, but he actually is an option Liverpool could seriously consider. He is currently serving the Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv. He is yet to score for Kyiv, but he possessed a great record during his time with Basel, as he scored 4 goals in 77 appearances (that’s a pretty good stat for a defender).
In the 2015-16 season, the Austrian helped his side to reach the last eight of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 16 years but unfortunately lost to Manchester City. Capped 38 times for Austria, Dragovic is a physical defender, who loves to challenge for the ball and never gets lost while defending, hence, he could really fit the bill for Klopp.
