Liverpool might see bid accepted for “England’s finest”

Arne Slot has spoken to the media forward of Liverpool‘s curtain-raising Group Defend conflict towards Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, and he has confirmed that he can’t rule out additional summer season signings.

The Anfield facet received the Premier League at a canter final season, however who can declare that they’ve since rested on their laurels? Liverpool are intent on defending their throne and widening the scope of the Slot period, with additional prizes actually eyed.

Alexander Isak‘s identify has stolen the headlines for a while now, and understandably so. However there’s little query that the prow of the ship is not the one space in want of funding earlier than the tip of the switch window.

Particularly, Liverpool want a central defender, having proven their hand on that entrance means again in Could, once they pushed to signal Bournemouth prodigy Dean Huijsen earlier than the 20-year-old joined Actual Madrid as soon as his £50m launch clause was activated.

Why Liverpool desire a centre-back

Final month, Jarell Quansah was offered to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal value £35m. The English expertise is very regarded, but it surely did not fairly work out below Slot’s wing final season, and cashing in (with a buyback clause inserted) was in all probability a prudent transfer.

Having mentioned that, Joe Gomez has since sustained a minor Achilles harm; the blow will not sideline the 28-year-old for an prolonged interval, but it surely does spotlight the fragility of Virgil van Dijk‘s line of defense.

Van Dijk prolonged his Liverpool contract by two years earlier than the tip of final season, however the captain has now turned 34, and the inevitability of an athletic decline will start to sit down in Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes’ thoughts.

Then there’s Ibrahima Konate, who marks a stress level himself. The France defender is into the ultimate yr of his £70k-per-week contract at Anfield, and with Actual Madrid lurking, there’s a rising sense of dread that he’ll comply with Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s footsteps and be part of the European nemeses on a Bosman.

In any case, Liverpool have to signal a centre-back this month.

Liverpool lining up new defender

Based on Soccer Insider, Liverpool have discovered {that a} bid within the area of £40m needs to be sufficient to persuade Crystal Palace to promote Marc Guehi this summer season.

Liverpool consider Guehi can be a improbable addition to a backline trying reasonably skinny, however for the reason that 25-year-old has entered the ultimate yr of his contract, Hughes is unwilling to pay over the chances.

Nevertheless, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur each too, the Reds would possibly wish to chew the bullet and lodge a primary formal supply, lest Guehi find yourself elsewhere.

Why Liverpool need Marc Guehi

Guehi has been a pillar of energy and solidity for Crystal Palace over the previous 4 years, becoming a member of the membership from Chelsea for an £18m price after graduating from their famed academy, although failing to get his foot by means of the first-team door.

He is a “monster in defence“, as has been famous by Eagles reporter Bobby Manzi, however Guehi can also be a fiercely underrated technician, with the passing recreation to make an actual distinction for Liverpool over the approaching years.

As per FBref, he ranked among the many high 9% of centre-halves throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues final time period for objective contributions, the highest 12% for shot-creating actions, the highest 2% for by means of balls, and the highest 20% for profitable take-ons per 90.

Shot-creating actions are items of play that result in a shot. These embrace moments similar to a cross, take-on or foul being drawn.

His completeness even means that he can be the proper companion for Van Dijk over the following few years, bringing power and mobility to the backline, and a forward-thinking strategy in addition to.

As you possibly can see from the desk, Guehi hardly appears misplaced when his knowledge is ranked alongside Van Dijk and Konate’s efforts final season, and that is having starred for Crystal Palace, as an alternative of title-winning Liverpool.

Curiously, the Three Lions star made fewer errors than each of his world-class positional friends, one thing that Slot and Liverpool’s knowledge analysts have little question picked up.

It is hardly stunning that journalist and scout Ben Mattinson had hailed Guehi as “England’s finest participant” following their EURO 2024 marketing campaign, so commanding in defence and cultured on the ball.

Although Van Dijk is extra exact within the duel (Konate is simply too), Guehi has the type of multi-faceted defensive ability set that’s so essential for top-challenging groups within the fashionable age.

He captained Oliver Glasner’s facet towards the FA Cup title final season, beating Manchester Metropolis within the closing at Wembley, did he not?

By including this profile to the combo, Slot would relaxation assured that Van Dijk has the proper companion to proceed plying his craft so superlatively, main the crew and organising, timing crunching challenges and steely headers when the state of affairs calls for it.

In a super world, Konate renews his contract and Liverpool assault the upcoming marketing campaign with three of the Premier League’s most interesting centre-backs of their ranks.

The membership’s Netherlands famous person stays the cream of the crop, however he is not a spring hen anymore, and bringing in one other athletic and dynamic profile might show the proper recipe for Slot to attain his lofty ambitions.