Liverpool launch £27million bid for highly-rated Ajax starlet to solve defensive crisis

Liverpool bid for Perr Schuurs as Reds legend believes injury to Gomez will force Klopp’s hand

According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (h/t Daily Star), Liverpool have started negotiations with Ajax for Perr Schuurs after offering a £27m fee.

The Italian paper claims that Liverpool are interested in signing the 21-year-old defender and have opened negotiations with the Dutch club about a possible January transfer move.

Ajax are said to value the defender at £27m

Liverpool have been going through an injury crisis of sorts at the back. The Reds have Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined due to a calf injury, while centre-backs Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are out for a lengthy period after suffering knee injuries.

We have seen Fabinho, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, and even youngster Rhys Williams getting injured at one point or the other this season. In light of this, the interest in a young, quality centre-back like Perr Schuurs does not come as a surprise.

In an interview earlier this month (h/t Daily Star), Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson spoke about the injury crisis at the club forcing Klopp’s hand to sign a defender in January.

“…Some of the younger players have come in [after injuries to van Dijk and Gomez] and they’ve done absolutely fine, but I think you’re looking at Matip, if fit, with the likes of Fabinho or maybe even Henderson [playing in defence] at some stage. But I would think it will force the manager’s hand in the January transfer window. He’s going to have to go out and buy somebody… We’re all going to play the game now going into January – who are Liverpool going to sign?”

Schuurs has started in 8 of Ajax’s 9 Eredivisie games this season, as the Amsterdam-based team sit on top of the league table.

Liverpool started Joel Matip and 19-year-old youngster Rhys Williams in defence on Wednesday in the 2-0 loss to Atalanta at Anfield. Fabinho is also fit and can be used as an emergency centre-back, as he has been in the past.

If we do manage to sign Schuurs in January, then it could prove to a very good move by the club not only in the long-term but also for the current season.