Liverpool Transfer News: Five Potential Centre-Back Signings Who Can Also Play Right-Back
Ben McAleer
Liverpool’s defensive options are thin on the ground. So much so that coach Tommy Elphick joined in training to fill in at centre-back during pre-season drills. Ibrahima Konate has departed. Giovanni Leoni remains absent with an ACL injury. Injury prone Joe Gomez pulled up with a fresh issue during the recent meeting with Sunderland.
Andoni Iraola’s centre-back options are limited to captain Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet. The 21-year-old, a summer signing from Rennes, hasn’t played competitively since dislocating his shoulder in February.
One of the priorities in the final knockings of the transfer window, then, needs to be a new centre-back. With Gomez and right-back-by-trade Conor Bradley also sidelined, and Jeremie Frimpong underwhelming, one who can also operate on the right side of the defence is also key.
We’ve picked out a handful that Liverpool could target before the transfer window closes next month.
Ezri Konsa
The Aston Villa man showcased his versatility for England at the World Cup as he featured at both centre-back and right-back for the Three Lions. Ezri Konsa has been heavily linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer, with Arsenal keen on bringing the former Brentford man to the Emirates Stadium.
With his impressive distribution and ball-winning capability, it’s hardly a surprise that those in the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ are seeking to lure Konsa away from the Midlands. Both Arsenal and Liverpool stand to benefit from a versatile centre-back who can cover a couple of roles at the back.
For Liverpool, they should be throwing money Villa’s way in order to secure the 28-year-old. After all, he could prove a perfect fit at Anfield under Andoni Iraola.
Jarell Quansah
Liverpool opted to cash in on Jarell Quansah last summer as Bayer Leverkusen parted with £35m to sign the 23-year-old. Crucially, Liverpool included a buyback option in the deal, though would have to spend £70m to bring Quansah back to Anfield.
The England international, who was one of five players to feature at right-back for the Three Lions over the summer, enjoyed a solid debut campaign in Germany. Indeed, he scored four times as Bayer finished sixth.
While reports suggest that Liverpool are not considering triggering the buyback option, Quansah is a defender who knows the team and the league well. Like Konsa, he’s an efficient distributor who is capable of timing his tackles to perfection to win the ball back for his side.
Jules Kounde
Reports over the summer have suggested that Barcelona would be willing to cash in on Jules Kounde. The Frenchman endured a sub-par La Liga campaign for Hansi Flick’s side yet is still widely considered to be one of the best versatile defenders on the continent.
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The Frenchman would be a statement defensive signing for the Reds. He may not be the most glamorous attacking name in world football, but the 27-year-old is more than capable of fulfilling the defensive requirements that come with playing in multiple roles.
The lack of attacking output - Kounde has never registered more than three assists in a single La Liga season - is perhaps a drawback. Yet, he’d be an experienced head at the back, which would be a huge boost for Andoni Iraola in his debut season on Merseyside.
James Hill
Andoni Iraola was unable to bring Marcos Senesi with him to Liverpool from Bournemouth. The Argentine ultimately joined Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer. However, Iraola could yet launch another raid on his former employers.
James Hill became a key player at the back for the Cherries as they secured a European finish. The 24-year-old isn’t the most glamorous name in football, yet the 24-year-old performed admirably on the south coast once he established himself as a first-team regular at the Vitality Stadium.
A centre-back by trade, Hill has caught the eye during his rare outings at right-back. He’s a player Iraola knows well, which would work in Liverpool’s favour.
Josh Acheampong
A left field choice, Chelsea are hellbent on retaining Josh Acheampong’s services. It’s been reported that the Blues have rejected a number of offers for the 20-year-old. That’s hardly a shock given the young defender’s ceiling.
The west London side rate Acheampong highly, though they remain well-stocked with defenders. Chelsea are expected to cash in on Trevoh Chalobah, who is set for Como, yet his departure will come after they signed Maxence Lacroix.
With a raft of options combined with a lack of European action, Acheampong will want guarantees of his game time before committing to the club. At this stage, he’d have a better chance of featuring regularly for Liverpool than Chelsea. Able to cover every defensive position, Acheampong would be a cost-effective option, providing Liverpool are patient in their efforts to sign the England U21 international.
