Liverpool did a lot of work in the transfer market this summer, but one area they neglected was their defence.
Indeed, the Reds didn’t sign a single new defender this summer, and that’s something that has concerned Graeme Souness.
Speaking to The Mirror, Souness has stated that he’d liked to have seen a new centre-back come in at Liverpool this summer, claiming that Joel Matip isn’t a player Liverpool can rely on nowadays due to his sketchy fitness record in recent years.
Liverpool cannot depend on Matip
Souness shared his verdict on the defender.
“I think the defence is more than good enough, the goalkeeper is more than good enough, but the blend in the midfield is not quite right. I’d like to see them get another central defender, Matip can’t keep himself fit for a long, hard Premier League year,” Souness said
As much as we hate to say it, Souness is right about Matip.
The Cameroon international is a ‘magnificent’ defender on his day, but, as the old saying goes, the best type of ability is availability, and the centre-back just isn’t reliable on that front.
Injuries have been a constant issue for Matip in recent years, and with both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez also struggling on that front, Liverpool may need to recruit a new centre-half to come in and take up the mantel.
Liverpool do need a new centre-back, and perhaps that’s something we should be keeping an eye out for as we approach the January transfer window.
The former Schalke defender has been a key player for Liverpool since joining them on a free transfer.
But his fitness issues make him an unreliable option.
There is no doubt that the £100,000-a-week Liverpool star is a quality defender on his day,
He has helped the Reds win major trophies.
They have already improved their midfield considerably and have a quality attacking unit at their disposal.
Improving their defence in the coming months would leave them with a formidable squad. Liverpool have recently shown interest in Bournemouth centre-back Lloyd Kelly.
