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To say that Liverpool have been minimized in defense does not do justice to the current situation. This would imply that there is still some kind of structure to keep the team upright. Instead, injuries to key figures like Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, as well as Joël Matip and Fabinho, mean that Jürgen Klopp might have to build a new structure entirely.
The German has done well to absorb each and every blow so far. Liverpool have gained momentum since it emerged that van Dijk would miss most of the season, if not all, winning five of six matches and drawing against Manchester City. However, the serious injury suffered by Gómez in the international break alters the panorama.
Liverpool may have no choice but to dive into the transfer market when the window opens again in January, such is their desperate need for defensive reinforcements. Of course, the Reds already had fewer options this season after allowing Dejan Lovren to leave. Not replacing the Croatian now seems to have been a mistake.
Speculation has started to swirl as to who Liverpool could target in January. It was reported (according to SoccerMarket ), for example, that the Premier League has been in talks with Schalke for weeks about a move for Ozan Kabak. The young Turkish international is believed to be on the Anfield club’s radar after having impressed in the Bundesliga.
More intriguing, however, is the prospect of a move for Ibrahima Konaté or Dayot Upamecano. They are RB Leipzig’s first choice of central defense association and have earned a reputation as two of the brightest young talents in the game at their position. Liverpool would make a declaration of intent when signing any of them.
Either player would cost a lot, but Liverpool have a chance to get ahead of their rivals in the search for the duo. The Daily Mail recently reported that Konaté has a £ 45m release clause in his contract with RB Leipzig, with Arsenal believed to be interested in the Frenchman, while Upamecano signed a new contract in the summer which, according to the reports include a release clause of 42 million euros.
Upamecano’s buy-out clause won’t be active until next summer, when RB Leipzig is almost certain to be a target for several elite clubs. Liverpool are among those who have been linked to a move for the Frenchman that has already proven its worth at the Champions League standard this season and last.
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Liverpool, however, need a center in January, so it might make sense for them to repeat the strategy they used to sign Keïta from RB Leipzig to make sure Upamecano finishes at Anfield. The Reds recognized the need to sign Keïta so badly that they paid an extra £ 5 million on top of the midfielder’s £ 48 million release clause to get him signed on the contract before anyone else.
Both Konaté and Upamecano would significantly improve Liverpool’s current defensive options, particularly at this time of crisis. The Reds would be taking an almighty risk by waiting until the summer window to sign one of them, not just in terms of having a strong enough defense to play for the remainder of the season, but in terms of fending off competition from some of its players. rivals.
Keïta’s signing set a precedent and Liverpool might now be wise to follow that precedent in their search for a new center-back. If Klopp feels that Konaté or Upamecano are the perfect addition to his squad, just as he did with Keita, it might be worth paying a bit more in January to make sure his next jersey is red.
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