The arrivals of Alisson Becker, Naby Keita and Fabinho have solved persistent issues in the squad at Liverpool this summer. The Reds are now a real force to be reckoned with but there are still areas of the squad that can be upgraded upon. One such position, Klopp might still be in the market for is in central defence.
The Reds have the most expensive defender in the history of the game in Virgil van Dijk but neither Joel Matip nor Dejan Lovren has shown enough consistency to be promised a first team spot next season. Ragnar Klavan is only a backup while Joe Gomez is still inexperienced in that role. So the Reds continue to be linked with a fair number of defenders this summer and the one name doing the rounds of late is Croatian international Domagoj Vida.
The 29-year old really made a name for himself in the Ukrainian league after he joined Dynamo Kyiv in 2013. He was their first choice until the start of the last season, making 104 top-flight appearances, but he played just nine games for the club in the past term before he was sold to Turkish giants Besiktas in January.
Vida made his international debut in 2010 for Croatia but his biggest achievement was reaching the finals of the World Cup in Russia this year. He formed a solid pairing with Lovren, showing great composure, strength and confidence at the highest level.
Naturally strong in the air, the 6ft defender is also decent with his passing. He is happy to throw himself around and makes a number of last-ditch tackles time and again for his side. At 29, he is still in his prime as a footballer and his experience of playing alongside Lovren will certainly help Liverpool.
Vida is a transfer target for Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham. Reports suggest that the Hammers have had a €22m bid for him turned down earlier this month. But Liverpool continues to be linked with his services, even as Besiktas are holding out for a fee close to €25m. So is he a player Klopp will be interested in?
Though not the quickest, Vida does have the sense of stepping up to knick balls of opposition strikers, a trait required to play as a defender for Klopp. He may at times be clumsy but usually gets the work done and is a decent backup for either of the first team centre-backs.
However, such a role will better suit a player with previous experience in the league. The likes of Jamaal Lascelles and Alfie Mawson could be better suited to take up the duties at Anfield this summer and could be available on the cheap. So if Klopp is not keen on finding an upgrade on Lovren, he is better off signing any one of those defenders, who are also long-term options.
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Vida hardly looks a player that fits the profile of a Red at the moment but do you think Liverpool will sign the Croat this summer?
