Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has warned the Reds that they will not be able to rely on Joel Matip this season.
Graeme Souness has urged Liverpool to bring in a quality central defender in the coming months. Speaking to Daily Mirror, Souness said that Joel Matip has an unreliable fitness history and that the Reds will not be able to depend on him throughout the Premier League campaign.
Souness told Daily Mirror, “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.”
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, and he has helped the Reds win major trophies.
However, the Reds should look to get rid of him now and sign a quality central defender who can operate as a full-back as well. Matip is in the twilight stages of his career and is unlikely to get any better. The Reds should look to cash in on him when the transport window reopens in January. They considered selling him this past summer as well.
Liverpool were linked with a number of central defenders during the summer transfer window as well. But they failed to get a deal across the line. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk are the only reliable defenders at the club right now. Joe Gomez has a dodgy fitness record as well, and the England international can also be an unreliable option.
Jurgen Klopp should prioritise signing a quality central defender in January. Liverpool will hope to challenge for major trophies this season and get back into the Champions League once again. They will need a deeper squad to compete on all fronts, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the right reinforcements.
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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.
