‘He’s outstanding’: Coach compares reported Liverpool target to Reds legend

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Reported Liverpool target Dayot Upamecano is an “outstanding defender” but needs to add goals to his game if he wants to reach the levels of Virgil van Dijk, RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann has told the Bundesliga website.

With their totemic Dutchman ruled out potentially until the middle of 2021, Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League champions have suddenly found themselves in a situation where they may be forced to spend big on a replacement.

Fortunately, there’s a rather tempting £35 million release clause in Upamecano’s contract.

Or, at least there will be when 2021 rolls around and said clause comes into effect (BILD).

Blessed with a fearsome leap, a superb passing range and the kind of pace that belies his rangy frame, the France international certainly shares similarities with Liverpool’s iconic number four.

But, according to a man who has turned Upamecano from a talented prospect into an elite-level central defender, one major flaw remains in his game.

“We all know he’s an outstanding defender and one of the top players in his position in Europe,” Nagelsmann explains.

“What distinguishes a Virgil van Dijk from him is he has been scoring six or seven goals over several seasons. When (Upamecano) manages a similar rate, he’ll be even more valuable to us than he already is.”

Since the start of the 2018/19 season, Van Dijk has found the net a remarkable 13 times. Upamecano, however, has scored a grand total of zero in the same time-frame.

Perhaps Nagelsmann has a point.

Calciomercato reports Jose Maria Gimenez, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ozan Kabak are also on Liverpool’s radar.

The Reds played central midfielder Fabinho at the back alongside Joe Gomez on Saturday. The Brazilian gave away a disputed penalty that allowed Sheffield United to take the lead before the champions hit back to win 2-1.