If Jurgen Klopp can take one positive from Liverpool’s ongoing injury crisis, it’s that it may have given him extra clout in convincing the board to sanction a deadline day signing.
Klopp has effectively been handed an “I’m afraid there’s no money” note, dashing any hopes of a statement arrival like RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano.
Instead, Preston North End’s Ben Davies is expected to sign for the champions, with Sepp van den Berg – who has largely been playing for Liverpool’s Under-23s since his arrival – moving on the opposite direction on loan.
The 25-year-old has made 19 appearances in the Championship this season and will cost in the region of £2million, with his contract due to expire in the summer.
That had alerted Celtic and Bournemouth to his qualities, with both clubs having been monitoring the Englishman. Celtic were in advanced talks and it was not until late last week week that Liverpool even began considering an approach, making a formal move over the weekend.
The profiles of his other suitors – one having a poor season in the Scottish Premiership, the other a fellow Championship club – might raise questions about why the Reds are so keen to get the deal over the line.
Indeed, Mark Lawrenson, who played for both Preston and Liverpool, described Davies on a BBC blog as a “real steady Eddie” whom he “didn’t really see as being good enough to be on Liverpool’s radar”.
“He’s left-footed and quick enough but he’s not got phenomenal pace or anything like that,” Lawrenson added.
Klopp has had to contend with a classic January Catch-22. Find a player experienced enough who can immediately slot into the first team – but find one who’s too established, and they won’t come and play second fiddle to Virgil van Dijk when the Dutchman recovers.
Another Michael Edwards masterstroke?
Davies does have a major advantage over some of his rivals for one of the final spots in Liverpool’s revised 25-man squad. Duje Ćaleta-Car’s prospective move to Anfield has fallen through, not least because Klopp needs homegrown players so that none of the overseas members of his squad need to be left out.
The Preston centre-back is not exactly a replacement for Liverpool’s injured defenders, but an addition who will have a role to play even when this decimated squad returns to full fitness. His major attribute is his ability on the ball and in keeping possession, a trait which might not be associated with second-tier defenders.
He has won relatively few aerial duels this season, which is one blot on his record. Another of Liverpool’s targets, Shkodran Mustafi, was considered because of his physical presence in the opposition box. Defensively, too, Liverpool feel they are missing Van Dijk in the air, conceding from another set piece against West Ham.
It is ultimately Davies who has been cherry-picked as he prepares to leave the club for whom he has played for nearly 15 years.
Perhaps this deal wouldn’t have happened had Liverpool not suffered even more setbacks in their recent upturn in form.
Liverpool’s defensive injuries this season
- Virgil van Dijk (ACL)
- Joe Gomez (knee)
- Joel Matip (adductor/ankle)
- Fabinho (muscle)
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (calf)
With Klopp already having to contend with long-term absences regarding Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Joel Matip has suffered another injury, this time substituted partway through the 3-1 win over Tottenham with an ankle problem.
A scan has not yet shed any light on how many games Matip will miss. Jordan Henderson once again filled in alongside 23-year-old Nat Phillips at the London Stadium, but Fabinho – another midfielder who has excelled in defence in recent months – is also now absent with a muscle sprain.
It remains to be seen whether Davies will be the answer long-term, or if he is an investment to cash in on further down the line. Another shrewd move from Michael Edwards, either way.
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/39zPmei
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