Liverpool are reportedly planning to sign Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri for a fee of £22m in January. Having conceded 16 goals already in the first 9 games, Klopp has a lot to ponder about regarding his back line and a change in the January transfer window can go a long way. Only Watford have conceded more goals than Liverpool in the top half of the table, 17 in total.
The left-back is currently out with an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury and is not going to feature till next month.
Emerson was in the youth setup of Santos since 2009. He made his senior debut in 2012. He didn’t get much of playing time in these years. In 2015, after an unsuccessful loan spell at Palermo, he moved to Roma. His breakthrough season was the 2016-17 one, where he made 36 appearances. In 45 appearances for Roma, he has scored a couple of goals too.
Emerson is full of energy on the pitch and covers a lot of ground. He does not panic in tight situations, holds on to the ball well and is some threat, going forward. He crosses well and feeds players who hold their runs or burst forward, which implies he has good vision. He is consistent, week in week out, which is a plus point for any club that wants to sign him.
It would be injudicious of Klopp if he plans to sign Emerson in January. The left back has a lot to prove and demonstrate in his career. With him out due to injury at the moment, it would be better if Klopp keeps an eye on his performances after injury and maybe buy him in summer if he plays at his best.
Even if he returns to his old level, it would not be much of an upgrade to the Liverpool defence in spite of their scuffle to get the right balance. Alberto Moreno looks in good form and is decisively making fine runs forward and whipping crosses in, in spite of player a deeper role in left back role.
He seems to have matured this season and holds his line quite well. New signing Andrew Robertson too, has shown how good a delivery he can produce. Also to mention, if the above left backs fall short of expectations, James Milner can shift to the left back role if needed. The problem lies at the heart of the defence with continuous errors, lack of coordination and inconsistency. This is where the Reds need to splash the cash.
Palmieri may be a decent option but is not an immediate requirement for the Reds in January.