Carragher urges FSG to sell Liverpool star even if lowball bid arrives; explains why world-class Man City target is perfect for Klopp
Liverpool trio Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip and Fabinho
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has surprisingly told the club to sell a player for just £10million, while also telling Jurgen Klopp why a defender heavily linked with Manchester City would fit in perfectly at Anfield.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League, ending their turbulent campaign with successive draws against Aston Villa and Southampton. For the Reds to have even qualified for next season’s Europa League is an achievement given their unreliable form and injury problems this term.
Central midfield and central defence are the two main positions Klopp is desperate to improve during the summer transfer window. With midfielders James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leaving on free transfers, Klopp needs at least two new players in the centre of the pitch.
He would ideally like to bring in Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but Liverpool chiefs have decided the 19-year-old will be too expensive. Instead, he is now getting closer to joining Real Madrid.
As per transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are making serious progress in their bid to sign Brighton playmaker Alexis Mac Allister. They also hold an interest in Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone.
Once Liverpool get their midfield sorted, they will turn their attention to the capture of a new centre-half. With Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip both now 31, the Reds could do with landing a top-class younger centre-back who can partner Ibrahima Konate in the future.
They have been linked with several defenders, including Perr Schuurs of Torino, Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol.
During an interview with Redmen TV, Carragher has discussed the Liverpool backline and what kinds of moves the side should make.
Jamie Carragher gives verdict on Klopp transfers
He has told the Liverpool owners, Fenway Sports Group, to consider selling Matip even if a lowball offer comes in. “I look at the defence and I think Joel Matip now has got a year to go [on his contract]. If you got £10m, whatever the price may be, it’s probably right to move on,” Carragher said.
Matip has been a reliable defender under Klopp and has made 187 appearances since moving to Anfield in July 2016. However, Matip has fallen down the pecking order due to Konate’s impressive performances in a Liverpool shirt and is now at risk of being sold, with Carragher giving such a transfer his endorsement.
The pundit also spoke about which type of centre-back Liverpool need to snare next. His description sounds exactly like Gvardiol, who is a top target for Pep Guardiola at City.
“I do think we need a left-sided defender, a left-footed centre-back. A lot of teams have them, we don’t,” Carragher added.
“A left-sided player would add something. Rather than getting a left-back because I don’t think we will, if we are going to continue with this formation now, [it should be] buying someone in that area, a centre-back who can do the full-back role. I definitely think a left-sided centre-back who can do that left-back job.”
Gvardiol would be an incredible signing for Liverpool. He is already emerging into one of the top defenders in the world, despite being only 21. Plus, he has big-game experience, having played in the Champions League and won two DFB-Pokals with Leipzig.
However, as with Bellingham, Gvardiol will not come cheap. Due to this, Liverpool’s ability to afford him will depend on how much they have to spend on their two midfield captures.
Meanwhile, reports in Germany claim Newcastle have been given the opportunity to sign a Liverpool hero.
