Liverpool could be coming up against a reported transfer target in a cup final before the campaign is finished.
Jurgen Klopp’s outfit are gearing up to face Arsenal in the first leg of a Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday.
Should Liverpool advance, they will be squaring off against Chelsea in the final of the competition after the Blues dismantled Tottenham over two legs, winning 3-0 on aggregate.
One player who the Reds could face – again, if they progress – is a certain Antonio Rudiger.
The Germany international is linked with joining Liverpool as a free transfer this summer, amid contract uncertainty at Stamford Bridge.
And the powerhouse defender impressed in a major way against Tottenham on Wednesday.
According to WhoScored, Rudiger clocked 109 touches of the football and also completed 96 percent of attempted passes.
However, most significantly of all, Rudiger, who managed three interceptions, scored the goal which ultimately gave Chelsea victory on the night.
Do Liverpool need him?
Honestly, nope.
With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip, Liverpool are fully stocked when it comes to quality central defenders.
Even Gomez, who played a prominent role helpinig the German manager win the Premier League in 2020, cannot get a look-in these days.
Despite speculation, a transfer to Anfiield just doesn’t make a lot of sense for Liverpool unfortunately.
Things could change, because Van Dijk and Matip are both 30 years old, but Rudiger, at 28, isn’t that much younger than either.
The situation could and would probably be a little different if the German powerhouse was, like, 23 or 24, but with only two years between Rudiger and the Merseysiders’ best options, no it won’t materialise.
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