RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol stunned Matthew Upson and Danny Mills with his goal for a 1-1 draw with Manchester City. The Croatia star is also a transfer target of Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side paid the price for failing to capitalise on their dominance in Saxony on Wednesday night. Riyad Mahrez (27’) secured the reigning Premier League champions the lead during a commanding first half. But Gvardiol (70’) responded for his Bundesliga outfit.
RB Leipzig displayed more urgency and ambition after the break in their Champions League Round of 16 first-leg fixture. Benjamin Henrichs twice went close to scoring an equaliser in the early exchanges of the second half. While Andre Silva also forced Ederson into action.
Gvardiol would eventually draw RB Leipzig level against Manchester City as their pressure finally found a way past Ederson. The 21-year-old showed far more desire than Ruben Dias to meet Marcel Halstenberg’s delivery after a short corner for his second goal this season.
His only previous goal this term also came in the Champions League for a 3-2 win over Real Madrid in Group F. Gvardiol has started in five of Die Roten Bullen’s seven ties in Europe in 2022/23 so far. The centre-half has further started in 14 of his 19 Bundesliga appearances.
Gvardiol stuns Upson and Mills as Liverpool target the RB Leipzig star’s transfer
Gvardiol stunned Upson and Mills with his goal against Manchester City as Liverpool target the RB Leipzig star’s transfer. Rudy Galetti reports that the Anfield natives believe he is the ideal partner for Virgil van Dijk for next term. The Reds are also among the clubs most keen.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is driving the Merseyside natives’ interest in a transfer with RB Leipzig for Gvardiol. But his Bundesliga outfit will demand €90m (£79m) to sell their 19-cap Croatia international. The Zagreb native is under contract in Saxony through to June 2027.
Klopp is keen to boast Gvardiol and Van Dijk at Liverpool with a transfer for the RB Leipzig star as the 21-year-old is one of the best young defenders around. He would also benefit from his attacking desire, which thrilled former England centre-half Upson on Wednesday.
“It has been coming,” Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “They’ve been pressing and pressing and it’s just a chipped ball into the box. But how well does Gvardiol get up? It’s all about his desire to want to head that ball.
“He’s about five yards out and powers the ball into the back of the net. Brilliant set-piece, good ball into the box and a brilliant header from Gvardiol.”
Gvardiol also impressed Mills with his header that secured RB Leipzig the 1-1 draw against Manchester City. Guardiola’s side will welcome Die Roten Bullen to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg on March 14. RB Leipzig last advanced beyond the Round of 16 in 2019/20.
“The leap is unbelievable from Gvardiol,” Mills told Sky Sports News. “He’s about two feet at least above Dias. He puts his hands on him but he hasn’t used him. Incredible header.”
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