Jurgen Klopp is keeping tabs on three central defenders to partner VVD
According to Passione Inter (h/t Express), Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is keeping tabs on three central defenders as he aims to strengthen his squad in the summer. The Reds are keen to bring in a partner for Dutch skipper Virgil van Dijk at the back.
The Merseysiders have constantly improved under the guidance of Klopp and Michael Edwards. Astute signings have been made with an eye on the present and the future. The trend looks set to continue as Liverpool plan to build upon what has been a special season.
Surprisingly for some, the focus of the window seems to be the heart of the defence. In Joe Gomez, Van Dijk has a reliable partner. Although Joel Matip impressed in the former’s absence, he has seen his chances limited since his return from injury.
Dejan Lovren is a fine defender but is prone to the ridiculous as much as the spectacular. This lack of consistency could prove to be costly at the highest level. Individual errors in defence have destroyed what could have been an extraordinary season for Liverpool and the club looks to be in haste to rectify that.
A long-term upgrade!
Klopp has his eye on three defenders from three different leagues. Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan, Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano. All excellent defenders in their own right.
Inter signed Bastoni in 2017 from Atalanta. The 20-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Nerazzurri this season, at times over the much more experienced Diego Godin. He is the only defender in the list to have scored this season and is a dominant presence in the air.
Apart from his aerial prowess, Bastoni is also a calm and collected presence on the ball and is left-footed. His ability to bring the ball out of defence will sit well with Liverpool’s football philosophy. One drawback could be the mean streak that has seen him accumulate five yellow cards already.
Upamecano will be a familiar name to regular viewers of the game. One of Europe’s best young defenders, the Frenchman is a rock at the back for Julain Nagelsmann’s side. The RB Leipzig star has kept seven clean sheets in 21 appearances this season and has a buyout clause of £50million.
Gimenez is the most experienced of the lot in spite of being just 25. Although an important player at Atletico, he has found his chances limited this season by injury. With Diego Simeone preferring the duo of Felipe and Stefan Savic at the back, Gimenez is likely to be easier to obtain among the three targets.
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Bastoni is expected to be the most expensive of the three. Liverpool will do well to go for either the Italian or Upamecano. Not only are they young and enjoying a constant run of games at the moment, but are also fit and technically adept to adjust to our style fo play.
