Real Madrid could ruin Liverpool transfer plans again this summer as defender search continues
Despite Jurgen Klopp’s admission back in May that Liverpool were in the market for a new centre-back, the Reds ultimately failed to strengthen the position this summer.
"We look in all departments apart from goalkeeper at the moment," said the German at time. "Yes, if there is a good one (centre-back) out there, I would not deny it. That's all. We look at all areas of the pitch, definitely."
Ultimately, Liverpool decided to focus on further strengthening their midfield instead. There had been interest in the likes of Levi Colwill and Micky van den Ven, only to see the former sign a new long-term contract at Chelsea while the latter completed a £43m transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. After the unexpected departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia, the Reds opted to focus on bringing in Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch to accompany the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai earlier in the window.
As things stand, despite injury sidelining Ibrahima Konate for a number of games and a Virgil van Dijk serving a two-match suspension after being sent off against Newcastle United, Liverpool have not been made to regret such a transfer stance. Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez have, so far, stayed injury-free and performed much better than they did last year, while the emergence of 20-year-old centre-back Jarell Quansah as a genuine option has been a welcome surprise.
Piero Hincapie agent claims Liverpool are in talks over January transfer
Xabi Alonso 'could be next Liverpool manager' after 'contract clause' emerges
But that doesn’t mean the Reds won’t look to strengthen further defensively in the next 12 months. In truth, they can’t afford not to, with Van Dijk comfortably on the wrong side of 30, Matip out
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk
