Liverpool pipped Celtic to the signature of Ben Davies as Jurgen Klopp aims to fill the defensive void
Ben Davies might not be the most high-profile name to arrive at Anfield in recent years, but he could prove one of the most important.
With Liverpool in the midst of an injury crisis, manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed this week that latest casualty Joel Matip would be out for the remainder of the season.
That blow, coupled with the long-term absence of Virgil van Dijk, saw the Reds line up with Nathaniel Phillips and Jordan Henderson in the centre of defence for Sunday’s 3-1 win over West Ham.
That was the 12th central defensive partnership Klopp has fielded this season, but in a surprise late move he acquired Preston North End defender Ben Davies on the final day of the transfer window.
Davies had been expected to join Scottish champions Celtic, and their boss Neil Lennon was quoted by Record Sport as saying: “It’s a blow because we were very close to doing that and obviously we got gazumped at the last minute by Liverpool.”
25-year-old Davies, who arrives from Preston North End in a deal reported to be worth an initial £500,000 plus add-ons, could prove vital to Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title.
Keith Andrews, assistant manager of the Irish national team, believes this relatively low-key signing could be a major success.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Andrews drew comparisons with former Manchester United loan signing Odion Ighalo, who recently ended a 12-month loan spell at Old Trafford.
He said: “For where Liverpool are now I think it makes absolute sense. You can maybe liken it to something like the Odion Ighalo signing by Manchester United last year.
“It’s a stop-gap to a point, but within that, you’ve got an opportunity as a player to stake a claim. It’s a chance of a lifetime for Ben Davies.
“The only thing I would say is I think there is a snobbery in football that the big clubs don’t look down that far, traditionally. Usually, Davies would have to go to a lower Premier League team and prove himself there, maybe akin to what James Tarkowski has done after his lower-league exploits.
“He has gone to Burnley and established himself there, and easily could have gone on to bigger and better in the last 12-18 months, and I’m sure there have been offers.
“I’m genuinely delighted for him because he has absolutely earned this. He has been at Preston from about 10 or 11 years old. He’s had countless loan moves, some to non-league, and been willing to do the hard yards in football to get to this level.
“He’s also a very good footballer in terms of ability. Liverpool have a lot of possession and that won’t faze him.
“Defensively he’ll be coming up against far more talented players so it will be a test for him, but I hope he does well.”
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