Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has urged the club to look at Conor Coady as a replacement for the injured Virgil van Dijk.
As reported by LiverpoolEcho, Liverpool’s former defensive leader Mark Lawrenson believes Conor Coady could be an ideal replacement for Virgil van Dijk this season after the defender was confirmed to be ruled out for a chunk of the campaign due to an ACL injury picked up against Everton earlier this month.
van Dijk’s injury has become a hot topic not only in Liverpool but across European football, with national teammate Memphis Depay notably wishing the defender a speedy recover after scoring a goal for Olympique Lyon this week. Experts have suggested that the Dutchman’s absence could significantly affect Liverpool’s title challenge this season, with the club already in the lookout for a potential replacement.
Speaking to the Argus, Lawrenson said, “If Liverpool are going to pay big money for somebody in January, they want absolutely ready-made. Conor Coady has had loads of shouts and he is a very good organiser who has played lots of games in the Premier League.”
The Wolves captain did, however, laugh off a question from Jamie Carragher regarding the prospect of replacing van Dijk at Liverpool on Monday. But, it won’t be unreasonable to think that a potential move to Anfield is a possibility, especially given the fact that the central defender was a childhood Liverpool fan.
Stay strong capi! ?? @VirgilvDijk pic.twitter.com/LsEdAkADZO
— Memphis Depay (@Memphis) October 25, 2020
Coady even used to play for Liverpool’s youth teams before leaving the club in favour of a €470k move to Huddersfield Town in 2014. He hasn’t had to look back since, especially after his move to Wolves in 2015.
Indeed, the 27-year-old is currently regarded as one of the most disciplined defenders in the Premier League, having played a pivotal role in Wolves’ mercurial rise to prominence under the leadership of Nuno Espirito Santo. He has already made 242 competitive appearances for the club and was recently called up to the English national team.
Such discipline, compassion and fighting spirit make Coady an ideal fit for Klopp’s tactical philosophy and footballing ethos that has made Liverpool one of the strongest sides in Europe in recent years. And the Reds need him now more than ever as Joe Gomez continue to struggle with form while injuries haven’t been to Joel Matip.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Coady leaves Wolves, if Liverpool do come calling, in the upcoming January transfer window.
