Liverpool’s Interest in Colombian Centre-Back Kevin Mantilla Confirmed by Club President
Liverpool Football Club is known for its extensive scouting network, constantly searching for the next hidden talent that can become a fan favorite at Anfield. One player who has caught their attention is Colombian youth international Kevin Mantilla, who currently plays as a centre-back for CA Talleres in the Argentine top flight.
Rumors of Liverpool’s interest in Mantilla first surfaced in February 2023 when he was still playing for Independiente Santa Fe. However, it was dismissed as mere speculation at the time. Journalist Ekrem Konur later mentioned that Liverpool and Brighton were monitoring the 20-year-old defender’s situation at CA Talleres.
Now, the rumors have been confirmed as true by Talleres’ club president, Andres Fassi. According to Argentine regional outlet La Voz del Interior, Fassi revealed that Liverpool has been following Mantilla for the past four months and even requested information about his physical records. However, Fassi made it clear that Talleres has no plans to sell the talented defender.
It’s worth noting that Liverpool rarely directly acquires players from clubs in South America. While they were previously linked with Andre of Fluminense, no deal materialized. However, Liverpool did sign another Colombian player, Anderson Arroyo, from Fortaleza CEIF in 2018. Unfortunately, Arroyo has yet to make an appearance for the Reds due to work permit issues.
Mantilla’s international experience includes 23 appearances for Colombia U20s, including five games at the U20 World Cup. Whether this would be enough to secure a work permit in the UK remains to be seen. Interestingly, Mantilla is a left-footed centre-back, which aligns with Liverpool’s previous links to defenders like Levi Colwill and Lloyd Kelly.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Kevin Mantilla showcases their commitment to finding promising talents from around the world. If the deal goes through, Mantilla could potentially join the ranks of Liverpool’s esteemed defensive lineup and contribute to their future success.