Crouch really doesn’t want to see ‘outstanding’ star play at centre-back for Liverpool

Follow us on Google Discover

Peter Crouch has suggested that Liverpool need to sign a central defender this summer to the Daily Mail.

Liverpool managed to claim the three points in their Premier League opener against Leeds United, but things were far from comfortable.

Liverpool conceded three times against the newly promoted side, with Virgil van Dijk making an uncharacteristic error.

Liverpool only have three recognised central defenders in their squad now, with Fabinho likely to have to cover in the heart of their backline if injury crisis hits.

But Crouch really does not want to see the Brazilian, who was labelled as ‘outstanding’ by Paul Merson (Sky), having to play centre-back for Liverpool, as he doesn’t think he’s suited to it.

“I looked at the defence against Leeds. They have got three great players in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip but I believe they could do with another addition there, as I wouldn’t want to see Fabinho used as the fourth-choice central defender,” he said.

“Look at the second goal they conceded, to Patrick Bamford. It was a rare mistake by Van Dijk that had a hint of complacency about it. Does he make the same mistake if Liverpool have signed a central defender this summer and pressure is being applied to his place? Competition raises your standards by an extra one or two per cent.”

Whether Liverpool will enter the market for a new central defender remains to be seen.

The Reds have sold Dejan Lovren this summer so there is definitely a gap in their squad for a new addition, but they have been reluctant to spend so far.

Liverpool have been hugely cautious in the transfer market to date, and it seems unlikely that they will change that transfer approach now the season has begun again.