Liverpool are unlikely to make a January acquisition. However, if there is one area where the club could strengthen this month it’s the centre-back department.
Joel Matip is unlikely to return to action before the end of the season. His absence is a huge loss for Jurgen Klopp’s side. And he could do with another option to choose from in defence.
January is a tough market though, and it’s always difficult to pull off potential deals. However, there is one player who might just be available and who could the perfect transfer.
Liverpool interest in Kevin Mantilla confirmed
As we reported, Liverpool’s interest in Kevin Mantilla was confirmed last week by Talleres president Andres Fassi as per La Voz.
The Argentinian league only begins at the end of the January, and this means this period is still the equivalent of the summer window in Europe for clubs like Talleres. Which would allow Liverpool to potentially swoop in for Mantilla – who seems like an exciting prospect.
The 20-year-old defender predominantly plays as a right-sided centre-back.
He’s very composed on the ball, and like Matip he is very adept in reading the game and sniffing out danger.
Kevin Mantilla stats
Last season, Mantilla ranked in the top 10 centre-back for possession adjusted interceptions as per Wyscout (9.48 per 90). He also won an impressive 70% of his defensive duels.
At last summer’s U20 World Cup, Mantilla was also the centre-back with the best defensive duel success rate winning 88%. This was a better success rate than Jarell Quansah, who still impressed with 79.17% at the same tournament.
Like Matip, Mantilla also has a bit of a habit of running forward with the ball, and out of centre-backs who averaged at least 0.9 dribbles per 90 in the Argentina top flight last season, Mantilla had the best dribble success rate with an impressive average of 87.5%.
Both an excellent defender and composed on the ball, Mantilla ticks a lot of boxes for Liverpool in terms of what Jurgen Klopp needs at the moment. The fact that Mantilla has even played as a left-sided centre-back and as a right-back in the past adds even further intrigue.
Liverpool would be smart to bring him to Anfield this month.
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