Jamie Carragher has named Manchester City defender Nathan Ake as an ideal signing for Liverpool, with the Reds in the market for a centre-defender this summer.
Speaking on The Anfield Wrap, the pundit suggested that the Dutch international could be the missing piece in Liverpool’s defence, with the 28-year-old enjoying his best year yet in the Premier League as Ake guided City to their sixth Premier League title.
Whilst a move for the £45m-rated defender is seemingly impossible this summer, a left-footed centre-back in the same mold as Ake could be exactly what Liverpool need this summer, and Carragher has urged the Reds to sign a similar player in the transfer window.
Carragher said when asked about what Liverpool’s defence needs this summer: “I think we should get a left-sided centre-back. You look at Ake and he’s almost perfect. I used to think about him for Liverpool a couple of years ago because of his relationship with Van Dijk in the Dutch team, as well.
“When the ball comes across to Virgil, because he’s not left-footed, unless the big switch is on, he will give it to [Ibrahima] Konate or [Joel] Matip. If we have a left-footed player it opens the game up.”
Liverpool should take Carragher’s advice and sign Ake-like defender
Ake’s rise from City benchwarmer to one of Pep Guardiola’s most important players has been as incredible to watch as it has been surprising, and for Liverpool, the Anfield side should take on Carragher’s advice when looking at centre-back targets this summer.
Left-footed defenders are becoming a real luxury in the Premier League, and for Liverpool, adding one to their ranks in the upcoming transfer window could flesh out their centre-back options in a big way, with a player in the same mold as Ake an ideal target.