Liverpool have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Daryl Janmaat and are considering to bring the former Watford defender in as a short-term defensive cover.
According to an exclusive report from TeamTalk, Liverpool have been offered the services of Daryl Janmaat in order to add some cover at the back in the midst of a defensive crisis. The Dutch international is available on a free transfer and is being considered as a short-term reinforcement by the defending Premier League champions.
Daryl Janmaat has Premier League experience and was last seen plying his trade for Watford in the 2019/20 season. The Hornets, though, opted not to extend the Dutch international’s contract, thus leaving him as a free agent and in search of a new club.
The 31-year-old has 145 appearances in the Premier League, with 8 goals and 14 assists in them. Janmaat, however, was a peripheral member of the Watford squad that plumped to relegation last season.
Liverpool’s title defence has been hampered a great deal by injuries to their regulars in defence. Virgil van Dijk’s ACL injury, though, is the heaviest blow, while Fabinho, his makeshift cover, also succumbed to a short-term injuries. This led to Jurgen Klopp turning towards the youth to fill up the void.
However, Joe Gomez has now contracted a long-term injury like van Dijk’s and this threatens the very foundation of Liverpool’s defence. Jurgen Klopp is left with Fabinho and Joel Matip as the only ones that have proven their mantle in defence. Rhys Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips are youthful and will definitely have mistakes in them at this point of their careers.
Add to that the fact that Matip has not managed to remain fit enough to clock in multiple appearances in a row and the defence not only looks paper thin, but almost invisible. The Reds are looking to delve into the January window. But, Gomez’s injury means an immediate cover is required.
Liverpool have been looking at former Real Madrid star Ezequiel Garay, who is also an experienced free agent. Janmaat, though, has Premier League experience and will enable Liverpool to use them in multiple positions, thus acting as a utility option.
Janmaat also comes highly recommended by fellow compatriot Georginio Wijnaldum, which could work in his favour. The 31-year-old could become the difference between Liverpool having a shot at the title or bowing out of the race by January itself.
