Crooks says Liverpool ‘could do themselves a great service’ by making a move for Brighton & Hove Albion defender.
Garth Crooks says Liverpool ‘could do themselves a great service’ by making a move for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk.
Liverpool’s back line has proved their Achilles heel in recent seasons, prompting the Reds’ £75 million acquisition of Virgil van Dijk last week.
But after Dunk’s displays over Christmas and New Year, Crooks does not believe that Liverpool’s repair work should end with the former Southampton centre-back.
“It was Dunk’s performance against Watford, and again at Newcastle, that left me thinking he is a top-four defender if ever I saw one,” writes the former Tottenham Hotspur striker in his ‘team of the festive period’ column for BBC Sport. “Whether he can mentally cope in that environment would be my only concern, but in terms of his defensive qualities I don’t think I’ve seen a better centre-back this season. I’ve seen more polished performances but nothing quite so efficient.
“It struck me that Liverpool could do themselves a great service by making an audacious move for Dunk. What would he cost – £35 million in today’s grossly over-inflated market?
“Offer £45 million and I’ve no doubt Brighton boss Chris Hughton would drive him to Anfield himself. Could Brighton afford to turn that down? Alongside Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool would suddenly have two towering defenders who know how to defend.”
Brighton-born Dunk began his career with the Seagulls, whom he has helped to two promotions this decade.
This is, therefore, the 25-year-old’s first ever campaign in England’s top flight. However, he has looked far from out of place at that level – helping Brighton to eight clean sheets in 22 league outings so far.
Liverpool have only kept one more than that themselves, despite being eight places better off than the Seagulls in fourth.
Should Liverpool make a move for Brighton’s Dunk?
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