Linked to three in 48 hours but Liverpool shouldn’t target centre-backs

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool are reportedly after three separate centre-backs but it’s not an area in which the club should be considering recruitment.

First, there was Diego Carlos, as Spanish outlet ABC claim that Liverpool want the Sevilla centre-back. He’s 27 years old and comes with experience in both Spain and France.

Then came Dayot Upamecano, with Italian source Passione Inter saying that the Reds are after him. The Daily Mail believe he’d cost £50m – a huge amount but justifiable for a very talented 21-year-old.

And Passione Inter also has Liverpool down as interested in Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale. The young Italian has caught the eye this season and clubs will naturally circle.

These are three highly-rated defenders who all clubs would find use for. But Liverpool really shouldn’t be targeting expensive centre-backs.

Even if Dejan Lovren leaves in the summer, the Reds have the position covered. There’s Virgil van Dijk as the primary defender, while both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are superb support.

The latter two have each looked like elite defenders this season and finding superior players would be difficult. In fact, Liverpool know how difficult getting centre-back signings right is better than anyone. They’ve signed some real flops for considerable money and it took them years to find the right player.

Then there’s the youth at the club. Both Sepp van den Berg and Ki-Jana Hoever look like real prospects. Surely they’re on the verge of being fourth-choice? At least one of them can make that step up within a year.

Signing someone blocks their path, though. It limits first-team opportunities and makes them wait longer. Gomez is still young, Matip isn’t too old, either. It could be a while before either of the young Dutchman get a proper shot.

So other roles would be of far more benefit than a centre-back. Maybe a goalscoring midfielder? Or a goalscoring centre-forward? Perhaps even a number ten.

Those are things Liverpool don’t have. While there are great centre-backs and young talent coming through, signing more seems like a wasted opportunity.