Liverpool are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, years after he was compared with Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool may be forced into the transfer market in January having lost Joel Matip to a major knee injury.
Jurgen Klopp still has Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate at his disposal as potential partners for Virgil van Dijk.
Matip is likely to move on at the end of the season though and Liverpool may be tempted to land a long-term addition to Klopp’s back line.
Liverpool interested in Jonathan Tah after Virgil van Dijk comparison
The latest name in the mix is Jonathan Tah.
90min claim that Liverpool are keen to bring Bayer Leverkusen defender Tah to Anfield in January.
That report even highlighted that Liverpool feel there is a deal there to be done for Tah, seemingly believing that a move is a serious possibility.
Leverkusen surely won’t want to sell Tah given that they are challenging for the Bundesliga title, but there may be some fears about his release clause.
German magazine Kicker claim that Tah has an €18million (£15million) release clause in his contract, which can be activated at the end of the season.
If Liverpool offer a higher fee in January, Leverkusen may well be tempted to cash in and take the money before that clause comes into effect.
Tah once compared to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool’s interest in Tah is fascinating given that he was once compared to the man he could partner at Anfield.
Former Leverkusen boss Peter Bosz was quoted by Voetbal International in 2020 as saying that he saw real similarities between Tah and Virgil van Dijk.
Bosz felt that what really separated the duo was Van Dijk’s aggressive streak with his defending, which Tah hadn’t found on a consistent basis.
“I certainly see parallels between Jonathan and Virgil van Dijk,” said Bosz. “I know Van Dijk well because he comes from the Netherlands. He has made progress, but he also had to master aggressiveness in defending. I’m sure Jonathan will succeed in that too. I think he is at his best when he plays aggressively. If he puts that on the mat, he is a top player. If he doesn’t, it will look very different. That’s the biggest difference with him,” he added.
Tah may now have the chance to play alongside Van Dijk and learn from him whilst giving Liverpool another physical and athletic defender.
The German is a huge presence at 6ft 5in tall but also has a real turn of pace, which may be why Bosz saw the similarities.
Tah hasn’t got close to reaching Van Dijk level since those comments but seeing them join forces at Anfield could be something to behold.
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