Whilst a lot of the focus has been on the futures of wingers Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola, Liverpool‘s need to sign a centre-back has only become greater in pre-season.
Joe Gomez’s injury means that he’ll now miss the start of the Premier League season. Meanwhile, Giovanni Leoni is expected back in September and new signing Jeremy Jacquet is facing a race against time to be fit, having so far missed every minute of pre-season.
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Liverpool’s centre-back crisis |
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Virgil van Dijk |
For the next year, Liverpool will be able to rely on Virgil van Dijk. He’s set to be a constant starter once again, even at 35 years old and even as he enters the final year of his contract. He remains the most consistent part of the Reds’ backline. |
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Joe Gomez (injured) |
It’s Déjà vu for Joe Gomez. The centre-back role next to Van Dijk was up for grabs in pre-season, but injury has now struck. He’s now set to miss the start of the season. |
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Jeremy Jacquet (injured) |
The news doesn’t get much better for Liverpool. Jeremy Jacquet is also still injured after missing a fair share of the second-half of last season. He’s yet to feature in pre-season for Iraola’s side. |
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Giovanni Leoni (injured) |
As things stand, Van Dijk is the only senior centre-back available at Liverpool. Giovanni Leoni joined Jacquet and Gomez on the sidelines as he is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered last season. He’s expected back in September. |
With less than a month to go until the window slams shut, it seems that the Merseyside club are becoming resigned to the clear evidence that they need another centre-back.
Fabrizio Romano shared an update on Liverpool’s transfer business on his YouTube channel, revealing that those at Anfield are eyeing another central defender this month.
“For Liverpool, keep an eye on centre-backs, because what I’m hearing is that Liverpool could consider a move for a centre-back in the summer transfer window in these final weeks. Liverpool could add one more player in that position.”
The big question is now all about who could arrive. Fikayo Tomori briefly threatened to steal the headlines on that front, but it could actually be another homegrown centre-back who arrives at Anfield this summer in the form of Ezri Konsa.
Liverpool considering Ezri Konsa move
One defender that Anfield chiefs could sign before the end of the month is looking increasingly likely to leave his current club. Football FanCast sources understand that Liverpool are considering a move for Konsa as they look to put an end to their recent centre-back crisis.
The Reds would also be getting one over on Premier League rivals Arsenal by signing the England international. According to the Daily Mail, Konsa is one of the Gunners’ top three targets this summer – along with Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Jr – but Andrea Berta’s opening offer left Villa owner Nassef Sawiris displeased.
The Arsenal sporting director reportedly launched an offer worth just half of Villa’s £60m valuation. The door has, therefore, been left ajar for Liverpool to make their move and complete what would be an impressive hijack in the final weeks of the summer window.
Amid continued speculation surrounding his future, there is a belief inside the Villa dressing room that Konsa will join Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans out the exit door before the end of the month. It may just be a matter of who wins the race between Liverpool and Arsenal.
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Premier League stats 25/26 |
Ezri Konsa |
Virgil van Dijk |
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Minutes |
3,036 |
3,420 |
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Tackles |
22 |
22 |
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Recoveries |
108 |
87 |
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Duel success |
67.1% |
73.5% |
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Pass success |
95.1% |
89% |
Whilst Liverpool’s young stars fight to get back to full fitness, Konsa would be an excellent partner for Van Dijk. He’s immediately got Premier League experience to fall back on and even has the ability to recover possession as the Liverpool captain takes a less aggressive role.
As the Reds approach the campaign with three of their four senior centre-backs watching on from the sidelines, a move for Konsa should be seen as an absolute no-brainer.
