Liverpool are approaching a pivotal summer and, while new midfielders are at the top of the list, reinforcements at centre-back would not go amiss. Jurgen Klopp knows his squad needs tending to in the coming months and the engine room will take much of the focus, but his backline is just as important. Joel Matip‘s contract is expiring next year and Joe Gomez‘s future could be under question, their respective form is both hit and miss, opening the door for changes to be made. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are the current first-choice pairing but Liverpool can ill afford this area of the field to be overlooked like the midfield was. The Reds have been playing catch-up in the transfer market but if they were to be proactive in the search for a centre-back, there are a few potential options.
Levi Colwill of Brighton (on loan from Chelsea) is a young, up-and-coming defender who has senior experience on loan with Huddersfield and Brighton. He has an 80.6 percent success rate in aerial duels, but Chelsea may not be willing to let him go easy or on the cheap. Josko Gvardiol of Leipzig is another young centre-back who has shown plenty of promise, but the fee could be prohibitive. Antonio Silva of Benfica is known for his front-foot defending and ability on the ball, but his aerial duels are not his strength. Goncalo Inacio of Sporting is a left-sided centre-back who is 21 and has 113 first-team appearances. He is a front-foot defender, eager to lay a tackle and start the chain of possession from the back. Jarrad Branthwaite of PSV (on loan from Everton) is a left-sided centre-back who can also contribute at left-back, but it remains to be seen if Everton would be willing to watch him move to Anfield. Perr Schuurs of Torino is 23 and only swapped Ajax for Torino last summer, but there are question marks over his ability in the air. Nayef Aguerd of West Ham is 27 and 2022/23 is his first Premier League season, but his aerial duels success rate is only 50 percent. Lastly, Jurrien Timber of Ajax is 21 and confident on the ball, but at 5’10” he has proven vulnerable in the air.
Liverpool have a number of potential options for centre-backs this summer, but they must weigh up their needs carefully to ensure they make the best decision for their squad.