According to a recent report by The Athletic (subscription needed), Liverpool are genuinely interested in acquiring the services of Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Ben White, who is currently playing on loan at Leeds United. However, the same source has also revealed that the Reds could face competition from Manchester United as they have also kept tabs on the English defender’s performances in the EFL Championship this season.
White’s Excellent Form For The Whites This Season
The 22-year-old has made a promising start to this campaign after sealing a season-long loan move to Elland Road last summer. He has already put in a few impressive performances at the back for Marcelo Bielsa’s side which has enhanced his reputation in English football.
The English rising star has featured in 18 matches for the West Yorkshire outfit this term on all fronts. White is averaging 1.9 tackles, 2.9 interceptions and 3.6 clearances per game in the English Championship this season (stats via whoscored).
The Brighton Academy graduate is primarily a centre-half but is versatile enough to play as a right-back as well. Hence, he could prove to be a clever acquisition for the Reds if they can find a way to bring him to Merseyside in the coming years.
What Are The English Defensive Ace’s Strengths?
White has been a commanding presence at the centre of Leeds’ backline and has made some vital interceptions for his team during this campaign. He can dominate his own penalty area with authority and conviction. The English defender can also make a few vital clearances for his side which makes him a rock at the back in Bielsa’s first-team. Furthermore, he is also quite adept when playing the ball out from the back, so his playing style will suit Jurgen Klopp’s brand of football at Anfield.
Is White The Right Choice For The Reds?
Recruiting a young and promising defender like White will undeniably be a decent coup for the Merseyside giants in the long-run. At this moment, he is too inexperienced to feature in the Premier League week in week out. However, if Klopp is willing to be a bit patient with him, then White could turn out to be an excellent signing for the Reds.
Liverpool have currently got the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren. So it is unlikely that he will get any game time unless one of them decides to leave next summer. Lovren could be the one to move on in search of more game time at the end of this campaign. Hence, White could also be an ideal long-term replacement for the Croatia international at the Merseyside club.
