Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly showing interest in in-form Anderlecht star Frank Acheampong.
The Sun have reported that Liverpool are showing interest in Anderlecht star Frank Acheampong. The left-back has put in impressive shifts for the Belgian giants in the recent past and seems to have caught the attention of Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who is looking to add the 23-year-old to his squad.
Acheampong arrived at Anderlecht from Thailand outfit Buriram United in a £700,000 deal in 2013 and has since established himself in the first-team setup at the club. The Ghanian international has featured in all but 2 of Anderlecht’s 18 Belgian Pro League matches while being involved in every fixture in the group stage of the Europa League for the Belgian outfit.
The 23-year-old has already racked a total of 12 senior appearances for Ghana and has 2 goals to his name. Acheampong has been a part of title-winning sides in both Thailand and Belgium.
Liverpool have had their fair share of troubles with the dearth of options for the left-side of the defence. The absence of quality natural options has forced Jurgen Klopp to play natural midfielder James Milner in the left-back position.
Even though James Milner has performed admirably so far, the absence of a more natural option may come back to haunt Liverpool later on. The Reds have had a poor defensive record this season and while it may not be exactly James Milner’s fault, the presence of a more natural defender on the left-side may add reliability and steel to the defence.
In addition to this, Acheampong will provide extra pace, which the English veteran cannot match at this moment. Acheampong’s current deal runs till 2019 and it is unlikely that the player will be leaving Anderlecht in January.
Part of the reason for this is his participation in the African Cup of Nations in January, which may deter Liverpool and other suitors from pursuing the player in the upcoming winter transfer window. The report also states that Sunderland and Newcastle United are interested in the Ghanian as well.
Klopp would need reinforcements to his defence in the summer of 2017, with Milner acting as a stop-gap short term solution for the left-back problem for now. The player has been scouted several times by the Reds and is currently rated at around £6 million, a fee Liverpool would have no problem spending if it secures them a long-term solution for the left side of the defence.
