In Focus: Three centre-backs Liverpool should target in January

 

Crisis? What crisis? 

Liverpool’s injury-ravaged defence has surpassed all expectations so far in December, kicking off a busy month of action with back-to-back clean sheets.

But with the Premier League chasing pack improving by the minute, recent performances are unlikely to stop Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wanting to bolster his ranks in the upcoming transfer window.  

Ahead of tonight’s final Champions League group game against FC Midtjylland, we take a closer look at three centre-backs who could seamlessly slot into Liverpool’s backline.

Diego Carlos (Sevilla)

Negotiating transfers in January is notoriously difficult, so Liverpool may well find Diego Carlos’ reported £68million release clause appealing — though there have been suggestions Sevilla could be willing to cash in for as little as £54m.

The Reds need a ready-made solution to their injury crisis and the 27-year-old defender's form for Los Palanganas this season suggests he would fit the bill perfectly. 

He has been part of a Sevilla side that has conceded just 0.9 league goals per 90 minutes this term and his ability on the ball is perfect for Klopp’s possession-based style of play.  

The Brazilian has an impressive 88.91% passing accuracy in 2020-21 but it is his long-distance distribution that is most even more eye-catching.

He has completed a commendable 7.58 long passes per 90 minutes this season.  

Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig)

The rumour mill has been awash with stories linking RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano with a move to Anfield — but it could be his defensive partner who is a better fit for Klopp’s approach.  

Ibrahima Konate (pictured above) is a 6ft 4in colossus and would go some way to replacing the aerial prowess of Virgil van Dijk while the Dutchman recovers from his ACL injury.  

Konate, 21, has won an outrageous 82.6% of his aerial duels in 2020-21, though there would be an element of risk in signing the former Sochaux man given his questionable injury record.  

The Frenchman only played a total of 11 matches in all competitions last season but has bags of potential and could be available for under £45m. 

If Liverpool’s hierarchy are convinced his injury issues are behind him, it could be a gamble worth taking come January.  

Duje Caleta-Car (Marseille)

The Reds are in the market for a budget-friendly all-rounder and Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car fits that description nicely. 

The 24-year-old Croatian defender has previously been linked with West Ham and was believed to be available for a very reasonable £20m in the summer.  

That would represent outstanding value for a centre-back who has been posting some impressive numbers in France’s top flight this season. 

Only Metz’s Boubakar Kouyate (86.7%) has won a greater percentage of his aerial duels than Caleta-Car (80.6%) in Ligue 1, while his 63 clearances completed is inside the division's top 10.  

The 10-cap international also has an exceptional passing range, completing 8.69 of his 12.7 long-range pass attempts per 90 minutes and sending a more than respectable 90.7% of his medium-range passes to their desired recipient.  

Caleta-Car could be the cut-price option that hits all the right notes for Liverpool.