Brendan Rodgers is targeting Premier League defensive duo to strengthen team
Liverpool FC are reportedly in for West Ham’s Winston Reid and Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Vertonghen as they look to strengthen their team in the winter to ensure they don’t fall short of the top 4 challenge.
After a highly successful 2013-14 season, which saw the Reds mount an amazing title challenge, and only missing out narrowly to securing the coveted trophy, much was expected this time around as well. Unfortunately, its not happened. The Merseysiders are currently struggling in every department. They lack goals, and the defence is worse than it was last year, when goals were constantly being leaked.
Summer signing Dejan Lovren, who became the most expensive defender for Liverpool- ever- has failed to live up to his price tag and has been benched for the experienced Kolo Toure. Mamadou Sakho has been out injured after a fall-out with the club and manager, so his participation in the squad is not predictable. Hence, it is not surprising that Rodgers is linked to be looking at defenders at the moment.
Reports in theAi??Daily MirrorAi??claim that Liverpool are leading the chase to sign West Ham centre-back Winston Reid. The New Zealand international is out of contract next summer, and therefore could be available very cheaply in January.
The 26 year old has been in absolutely great form, and his performances have played a key role in the Hammers’ outstanding season, which sees them in the top 4 places presently. The Kiwi is said to be keen on a high-profile move and wants a move to a bigger club. Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all interested in the player, but the Reds are in the lead at the moment.
Allardyce is desperate to keep the player, but admits that his contract situation is concerning at the moment
“His contract situation is an ongoing factor between the owner and his agent. I would imagine one or both are going to come to the conclusion this has gone as far as it’s going to go and can’t go any farther,” Allardyce told the Sunday People newspaper in Britain today.
Meanwhile, Spurs’ Jan Vertonghen is also linked with a move to Merseyside.
The 27 year old is another player Rodgers thinks would help strengthen the weak defence, and help the side mount another top 4 challenge. Ai??Sunday PeopleAi??and several other media outlets carried this report.
The Belgian international’s current contract runs out in 2018 and he was linked with a move to Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United in the summer and his future at Spurs looks in the shadow at the moment.Ai??Vertonghen can play at left-back, the centre of the defence or even as a defensive midfielder, and is a player Rodgers hopes could steady things at the back.
Talks of a new improved deal being offered by the Lilywhites started doing rounds earlier this year but recently, nothing has come to the fore in that department.
“We are not talking about a new contract. The club has to take the first step. We are now in a busy period, with a lotAi??of games. Talks are often held in periods where there are less games,” said Vertonghen
The former Ajax man has been in and out of the squad this season, and it has been pointed out several times in the media that Pochettino does not exactly trust the player.
Reid and Vertonghen would surely help Liverpool’s fragile defence. However, competition for their services, especially Reid’s would be high in the winter, and it would be interesting to see if the Reds splurge an exorbitant amount for players after the summer transfer business not exactly going to plan. But needless to mention, Rodgers needs strong men in the defence, and if the amount of goals being conceded does not become lesser, Liverpool could lose the top 4 spot even before the competitions enters
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