Former Arsenal star, Paul Merson, has claimed that Liverpool need to sign a defender in order to win the Premier League title.
The Sky Sports pundit spoke to talkSPORT earlier and revealed that the Reds need to sign a player like Virgil van Dijk. The Southampton defender is attracting a lot of interest with his performances this season and has been linked with Manchester United, as well.
For me, I think if Liverpool get together and go and buy van Dijk for £50 million in January, they will take some beating. They’ve got the firepower going forward, I just don’t think they’ve got it at the back. I know they’ve done it this season so far, but defensively they aren’t going to be good enough [against the big teams]. But if they can go out and get van Dijk, I think £50 million, that nearly wins you the Premier League.
Merson’s claims certainly make sense, as Liverpool are quite inconsistent at the back. Their defence cost them the title a few years ago under Brendan Rodgers, as well. Ever since the departure of Rafa Benitez, the Reds have struggled defensively.
Liverpool have been the best attacking unit in the league under Klopp this season, but they are still facing problems at the back. Signing someone like van Dijk could be a masterstroke for them. Liverpool have kept just three clean sheets in thirteen league games, and no team in the top five have conceded more than them this season.
The Dutch defender is valued at around £50 million in the current market, and it will be interesting to see if Liverpool make a move for him anytime soon. The Anfield outfit have certainly got the funds to make that signing, and the owners are likely to back Klopp, considering how well he has done so far.
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