Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ‘wants’ defensive signing – with England centre-back linked

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ‘wants’ defensive signing – with England centre-back linked

Jurgen Klopp is said to be interested in bringing in a defender this summer, as well as additions to midfield, with an England international linked with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool have been linked with quite a few centre-backs in recent weeks, including Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio, Brighton’s Levi Colwill, Benfica’s Antonio Silva, plus Josko Gvardiol and Jarrad Branthwaite.

Klopp was directly asked if he had any plans to bring in a new centre-back at his pre-Aston Villa press conference last week and now reputable journalist Paul Joyce, who asked, went on to say the manager is “interested is” to defensive purchases”.‌

Klopp is said to want defensive signings alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Mason Mount in midfield.

This report comes at the same time as claims by another journalist, Simon Jones of the Mail, that Liverpool are interested in England and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

The former Chelsea defender, 22, moved to Palace two years ago and has made a huge impact for the London side, earning international honors with England and making his debut for Gareth Southgate’s side last year. He was recommended by many to go to the World Cup but was then overlooked by the likes of Harry Maguire.

Guehi would be wanted by Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United, with a potential price tag of £50m.

One thing that would certainly appeal is the reliability of Guehi, who has made 36 Premier League appearances this season, in stark contrast to Liverpool’s injured Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate.

A new centre-back would certainly make sense, especially if Matip were to leave this summer.

When asked about a potential defender arriving this summer, Klopp said: “We are looking in all departments, except the goalkeeper, at the moment.”

The coach has insisted that the recent improvement in form won’t change his summer plans. “If there’s a good one, I wouldn’t deny it,” he added. “That’s all. As I said, we must, and do, search all parts of the camp. Certainly.”

It’s clear Klopp is very keen to get new signings early this summer, well ahead of pre-season, and with reports from Argentina suggesting a move for Mac Allister is complete, that certainly looks to be paying off for him. .

It’s also clear Liverpool are looking for proven players in the Premier League this summer, who Guehi would fit with, while he’s also young enough to eventually establish himself as a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk. And while the Guehi report suggests Liverpool may not be able to afford the defender as they need midfield signings, if Mac Allister can be bought for the reported £60m, plus Mount for £50m and less any possible outgoing sale, there’s just enough more to attract a defender.

With the departures of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the club has freed up almost £500,000 a week in wages, boosting belief that many new signings are possible this summer.

Read Next

Brighton CEO reacts to Liverpool interest in Alexis Mac Allister transfer links

Liverpool are on the hunt for new midfielders this summer as Jurgen Klopp prepares to freshen up his squad

Brighton CEO Paul Barber revealed little when asked about the future of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

The world champions have been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks. A report from the player’s home country on Sunday suggested a deal has been agreed between the two clubs ahead of the new season.

ECHO understands that the midfielder is one of the club’s priority targets in the coming window.

Mac Allister has been instrumental in the Seagulls’ success this season, which has seen Roberto De Zerbi’s side secure European football for the first time in their history. UEFA Conference League football is guaranteed for 2023/24 and they could still find themselves in the Europa League depending on their last two results.

The success of the 24-year-old and his team-mates has not escaped other clubs in the division, who are now on the hunt for Brighton’s best players towards the end of the season. Moises Caicedo is expected to be the other top exit alongside Mac Allister, something even De Zerbi couldn’t deny while speaking after his side’s recent 3-0 win over Arsenal.

During an interview with talkSPORT, Barber was specifically asked about Mac Allister’s future and refused to shed light on the potential of the Argentina international who is set to leave.

“I saw him down on the pitch looking very happy and obviously we want him to be here next season,” stated the Brighton chief. “Obviously we know there’s going to be a lot of clubs, not just in this country, around Europe and around the world, that are going to be wanting him to play for them. But, at the moment he’s wearing blue and white stripes and I’m delighted about that.

“If I lost sleep over every report that I read about one of our players doing that, then I wouldn’t be sleeping very much at all. At the moment, he’s focused on doing what he can for us during his final two games.”