According to the Sunday World, Liverpool could make a late push to sign LOSC Lille centre-back Sven Botman after Joel Matip damaged ankle ligaments.
The Cameroonian defender was forced off at half-time against Tottenham, leaving Jordan Henderson and Nathaniel Phillips at centre-back.
That means that Matip, Fabinho, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are all currently missing, in what is a bizarre injury crisis for the Reds.
After last night’s 3-1 win, the Sunday World have revealed that Liverpool could be tempted to reignite their interest in Botman with a late move.
It’s said that Liverpool made initial approaches earlier this month, although they did not firm up their interest with a bid due to financial considerations.
Now, however, that could change.
So, what type of player is the Dutchman?
Well, the 21-year-old currently plays alongside ex-Southampton man Jose Fonte at LOSC Lille, and he believes the Liverpool target is better than some genuinely world-class names.
Speaking on The Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles said: ‘Fonte has played with an array of top-class centre-backs in his career including Virgil van Dijk, Toby Alderweireld, Pepe in the Portuguese national team and Gabriel last season who is now at Arsenal. From what I understand of Fonte’s impression of Botman, he thinks he’s the best of all of them.
‘He describes him as a machine and a man who doesn’t make mistakes.’
Botman – who cost LOSC Lille just £9 million – seems like he’d be a good addition.
The former Ajax man is just 21 years of age, so Liverpool would be making a long-term investment rather than just a mindless panic buy.
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