Liverpool’s first pre-season under Andoni Iraola hasn’t been without issues. Curtis Jones’ public spat with Dominik Szoboszlai has only fuelled rumorus that he could be heading for the exit door, whilst Joe Gomez’s injury has stressed the need for an additonal central defender.
The 29-year-old’s absence, which is expected to last beyond the start of the season, has left the Reds with just three senior centre-backs, with two of them being Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Both players have never started a Premier League game.
With just a matter of weeks until the new campaign gets underway, those at Anfield have been forced to turn towards Fikayo Tomori. Rumours suggest the ex-Chelsea man could be heading for the exit door at AC Milan and in an urgent search for a defender, Liverpool have made their move.
Liverpool’s potential centre-back options | |
|---|---|
Virgil van Dijk | Just what Liverpool would do without Van Dijk is a question that not many will want to answer around Anfield. The Dutchman is set to play a crucial role in the final year of his current deal at the club and his experience will be more important than ever in a new-look defensive partnership. |
Joe Gomez | In an ideal world, Gomez would be injury-free and ready to run back the years next to Van Dijk this season. Alas, the reality is that his injury history has come back to haunt him yet again and the central defender is set to miss the start of the season. |
Giovanni Leoni | It’s been a long way back for Leoni, but he’s edging closer to a return from injury. The young defender impressed many around Merseyside with his performance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last season and will be hoping to make a case to become Van Dijk’s new partner. |
Jeremy Jacquet | Gomez isn’t the only injured defender in Liverpool’s backline. New signing Jeremy Jacquet is still recovering from an injury of his own suffered at Stade Rennais last season. He is expected to partner Van Dijk, but may have to wait for his chance as he recovers. |
Fikayo Tomori | In the long-term, Tomori would add key depth to Liverpool’s backline. In the short-term, he’d provide some much-needed experience and availability for Iraola. He knows the Premier League well and looks set to come cheap this summer. |
Whilst much of the focus has been on Bradley Barcola as of late, a move for Tomori could prove to be just as important for Liverpool in the coming weeks.
Liverpool launch move to sign Fikayo Tomori
According to TuttoJuve, as relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool have now made contact to sign Tomori from AC Milan. The defender has just one year left on his current deal and is, therefore, expected to come cheap this summer having fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim.
The Reds are already thought to be considering formalising their interest with a bid, making Tomori one to watch in the coming weeks. With Gomez expected to miss the start of the Premier League campaign, his arrival would solve a major problem at Anfield.
Having already snubbed Coventry City, the wait could prove worthwhile for the England international as he potentially heads back to the Premier League in style.
