Liverpool could and probably should sign more central defenders this summer.
Yes, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip should be fit for next term but remember, those three are the only senior centre-backs who started this campaign for the Reds, which might explain their crisis in that position for most of the season.
They signed Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke but David Ornstein reported this week that Liverpool will try to sign him for less than the reported £18 million needed, which means that there’s no guarantee he’ll be coming back to Anfield.
Yep, Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards are still going to need reinforcements in that role this summer – and they should take another look at Sven Botman.
The 21-year-old Lille powerhouse was heavily linked with a move to Anfield last summer and slightly less so in January.
Foot Mercato reported in January that Liverpool were still keen on the towering figure – who could be available for £27 million – and after his latest performance, they should be.
That’s because Botman has just stood toe-to-toe with two of the best in the business and came out on top.
The big man kept the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe quiet this past weekend as Lille secured a 1-0 win away to Paris Saint-Germain and to be only 21 and holding your own against that sort of opponent is seriously impressive, it has to be said.
He also managed nine clearances – more than any other player on the field – according to WhoScored and attempted 11 long balls, which suggests he might be another Van Dijk in terms of being a ball-playing central defender.
If Liverpool are back in the market to sign a centre-back this summer, Lille should absolutely be their first port of call.
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