Liverpool are frontrunners to sign huge Konate upgrade who’s a £50m “beast”

It’s been a irritating season for a Liverpool aspect who began with aspirations and expectations of retaining their hard-won Premier League title.

However Arne Slot’s aspect have been a shell of that workforce, shedding 9 of 12 matches in all competitions throughout the autumn.

Arsenal’s lead on the high is unassailable, for Liverpool, in any case. Nonetheless, this stays a workforce laden with elite expertise, and the pursuit of glory within the FA Cup and Champions League may be very a lot on.

However the Reds are undoubtedly fragile in defence, and that wants sorting earlier than the tip of the January switch window.

How Liverpool plan to repair their defence

Marc Guehi stays a high goal, however FSG are understandably reluctant to satisfy Crystal Palace’s valuation, in extra of £35m, for a participant months away from free company.

With any variety of high groups additionally eager on the Three Lions centre-back, sporting director Richard Hughes has earmarked another.

Liverpool’s points on the again, in spite of everything, are aggravated by the doubtless departure of Ibrahima Konate on a free contract on the finish of the season.

However in accordance with TEAMtalk, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck may be very a lot on the Reds’ radar, they usually’ve acquired fairly the increase of their pursuit.

Valued at round £50m, the German has additionally been focused by Actual Madrid, however with Los Blancos cooling their curiosity, it may be mentioned that the Anfield membership have emerged as the brand new frontrunners.

How Schlotterbeck would slot in at Liverpool

With Giovanni Leoni sidelined with a long-term knee damage, Konate set to depart and skipper Virgil van Dijk turning 35 on the finish of the season, Liverpool’s backline must be remanned with elite new elements.

Schlotterbeck, 26, is among the most dynamic centre-halves within the sport proper now, having been hailed as an “absolute beast” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig for his depraved mixture of bodily, technical and defensive strengths.

If Liverpool lose Konate on a free switch this summer season, will probably be a blow to Slot’s defensive depth. However given the Frenchman’s catastrophic blunders all through the season, maybe the Dortmund star would show a swift improve, probably even retaining him out of the workforce over the approaching months, ought to Liverpool act now.

Konate was criticised earlier this season for his “horrible” build-up play by analyst Raj Chohan. Liverpool have keenly felt the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, and Konate greater than most.

Curtis Jones has been tasked with drifting again and including a dimension to Liverpool’s backline when at the beginning of a ahead transfer.

Schotterbeck solves that tactical conundrum, filling a gap that has been designated for Palace’s Guehi however would possibly as an alternative swimsuit the German’s means on the ball.

This can be a defender who has honed their expertise over the previous a number of years in his homeland and would add a unique flavour to Liverpool’s backline. He is additionally left-footed, and so might feasibly substitute Van Dijk when that day comes.

As per Sofascore, he is additionally received 72% of his floor duels within the Bundesliga this time period whereas managing to keep away from a single mistake that led to a shot or aim. That is in stark distinction to Konate within the Premier League, who has made 4 of such errors from 21 matches.

Guehi can be the extra fascinating signing for Liverpool this yr, for positive, however Schlotterbeck is a few participant. The English sport doesn’t know him but, however they might if he joined Slot’s squad this yr.

He is using an even bigger wave than Konate, and he is extra tactically attuned to the best way by which Slot needs to play. However, furthermore, Schlotterbeck is likely to be the right Guehi different aspect for Liverpool.