£50k-p/w “monster” wants to join Liverpool alongside Isak

As Liverpool showcased final season, ‘successful the window’ would not at all times equate to on-field success, with Arne Slot’s facet romping to the Premier League title regardless of solely including Federico Chiesa to their ranks.

Having lain dormant within the switch market, nevertheless, the Reds seem intent on constructing on their place of energy this time round, having already spent £256m this summer time.

Additional additions are nearly sure to lie in retailer too, with current stories even claiming that wantaway Newcastle United man, Alexander Isak, has agreed private phrases with the Merseysiders.

There may be undoubted pleasure brewing on the prospect of including yet one more marquee title to their ahead ranks, though the Anfield should not neglect to make sure that the foundations are regular too, with stable and maybe extra unsung signings additionally so as. James Milner, anybody?

Certainly, with Jarell Quansah becoming a member of Bayer Leverkusen, and Joe Gomez struck down with damage, Slot has been left with simply two senior centre-backs, a pairing that features contract insurgent – and Barcelona goal – Ibrahima Konate.

Having front-loaded the squad up to now then, the Reds cannot threat being uncovered on the again. Enter, one other quietly essential acquisition.

Liverpool maintain benefit in race for £50k-p/w expertise

Liverpool have, in fact, already moved to bolster the backline this summer time, with the signing of full-back pairing Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, whereas Giorgi Mamardashvili has additionally lastly arrived on Merseyside.

That mentioned, as already said, the dearth of choices within the centre of defence stays a purpose for concern – even after Virgil van Dijk’s contract extension – with that an space that also must be addressed.

With that in thoughts, Soccer Insider’s Mick Brown has urged that the champions nonetheless have the benefit over top-flight rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, within the race to signal Marc Guehi.

In response to Brown, regardless of Spurs exhibiting curiosity once more within the England worldwide, it’s Liverpool who’re nonetheless the “favourites” to signal him, having been closely linked with a transfer for the 25-year-old all through the summer time.

The insider goes on so as to add that the previous Chelsea defender has his “coronary heart set on a transfer to Liverpool”, with the Reds seemingly able to make a bid for him “at some stage”.

With simply 12 months left on his present deal, the choice is that the £50k-per-week centre-back stays at Selhurst Park for subsequent season, earlier than making the change on a free switch.

Why Liverpool might be focusing on the brand new Milner

As already said, there was a way of glamour to Liverpool’s signings up to now this summer time, with Slot and co notably playing on three thrilling younger abilities from the Bundesliga, within the type of Kerkez, Frimpong and £116m man, Florian Wirtz.

That mentioned, there stays the necessity for ready-made, confirmed Premier League abilities who can slot in considerably underneath the radar, with Guehi maybe the proper slot in that regard, contemplating his current expertise at Palace.

Certainly, there may effectively be shades of the aforementioned Milner concerning the transfer, with Guehi’s compatriot having been a muted arrival from Manchester Metropolis on a free switch again in 2015, earlier than occurring to imagine cult hero standing at Anfield.

A jack of all trades, the versatile machine racked up 332 appearances in all competitions for the Reds throughout the following eight years, having notably been hailed as a “position mannequin” by then-boss Jurgen Klopp in 2022.

The German even went so far as to state that “nothing now we have achieved in the previous couple of years would have occurred with out [him]”, with the underrated midfielder having been a significant, albeit at-times unsung cog within the Anfield machine.

In Guehi – who’s presently the captain at Selhurst Park – the Reds would be capable of purchase one other leader-like determine to bolster the ranks, offering stability and consistency amid a summer time of maybe extra marquee additions.

Such qualities have been famous by ex-interim England boss Lee Carsley, who mentioned again in November that the defender “is a participant who exhibits management qualities in his profession up to now not solely off the pitch however on the pitch”.

Like Milner – who has turned out for an array of top-flight golf equipment – Guehi isn’t any stranger to Premier League motion, having racked up 132 appearances within the competitors so far.

An ordinary-setter and a guiding presence at Palace, even when maybe outshone by the likes of Eberechi Eze forward of him, the in-demand expertise could be a comparatively risk-free and cost-effective signing. Certainly, if he does finally find yourself arriving subsequent summer time, he may replicate Milner’s transfer as a cut price free switch.

That is to not say that Guehi would not even have a excessive ceiling, nevertheless, with Palace reporter Bobby Manzi noting that he’s merely a “monster in defence”. In all, the 6 foot sensation helped to maintain 11 clear sheets within the league final season, whereas averaging 2.6 tackles and interceptions per recreation, alongside boasting 5 purpose involvements.

An asset in each bins, the Eagles skipper could be a greater than worthy addition amid a busy summer time of exercise for the Reds. Sure, there could be extra thrilling offers being performed, however very like Milner proved to be underneath Klopp, Guehi may show to be the glue holding issues collectively.