Paul Gorst has implored Liverpool to signal a centre-back this summer time, following the exit of Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman is leaving Anfield as a free agent after 5 years, having been unable to agree a brand new contract with the membership regardless of months of negotiations, though his departure is offset by the arrival of compatriot Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.
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The Reds will once more have 4 senior centre-backs of their squad for subsequent season, however with the brand new signing and long-term harm absentee Giovanni Leoni nonetheless unproven at Premier League stage, issues have naturally been raised about depth in that place.
Gorst addresses Liverpool centre-back query
In a Q&A for the Liverpool Echo, one reader requested Gorst why Liverpool are reportedly reluctant to enter the centre-back market this summer time, fearing a scarcity of choices in that space of the pitch, and the journalist sided with these worries.
He replied: ‘I agree. I feel Liverpool are taking an enormous danger in the event that they decide to not actively change Ibrahima Konate, who turns into a free agent from July 1.
‘The plan, in line with the conversations I’ve had, is for Jacquet and Leoni to each be given probabilities, however I believe the membership will stay poised to behave in the event that they really feel a extra senior defender is on the market at an affordable worth.
‘That leaves the membership on the mercy of market developments, nonetheless. I’d quite see them proactively and aggressively goal a first-choice centre-half this summer time.’
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Liverpool mustn’t depart themselves brief at centre-back
Gorst’s reply options sure terminology with which Liverpool followers have turn into fairly acquainted lately, with FSG seemingly preserving their powder dry for potential market alternatives to come up however not prioritising a centre-back addition in the summertime.
In principle, the Reds needs to be advantageous for squad depth in that place, with 4 gamers vying for 2 positions (or, extra precisely, three gamers preventing it out to accomplice Virgil van Dijk).
Nevertheless, Joe Gomez’s harm report has been a trigger for concern, whereas Jacquet and Leoni are nonetheless fairly uncooked and new to English soccer. Additionally, it stays to be seen how the Italian teenager will bounce again from lacking almost a yr of motion due to his sickening ACL harm.
We perceive that Liverpool will probably be focusing on a number of positions in the summertime switch window and should must prioritise some over others – at the least one new winger is important – however we agree with Gorst that neglecting to herald a centre-back could be dangerous within the excessive.
After all FSG could be wise to not be held to ransom for a brand new signing in that space of the pitch, however they’d even be silly to show a blind eye to any potential alternative to herald an skilled accomplice for (and eventual successor to) Van Dijk.
