Liverpool are flying high in the Premier League and showing some grit and determination to keep pushing for the silverware. The signing of Virgil van Dijk has transformed the Reds into a resilient defensive force, but the Dutchman must be looking for a partner at the back who could stay fit and feature throughout the season.
Steve Nicol, the legendary Reds fullback, recently suggested that the club should rope in Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham Hotspur who would cost around £25m.
“This is a player who I think most teams in the world would want as their centre-back. I wouldn’t mind him at Liverpool alongside Van Dijk, I think that would be a great pairing.”
This is according to the Scotsman (as quoted by the Daily Star) who is confident of the Belgian’s availability this summer.
Joe Gomez had a blistering start alongside Van Dijk in the heart of the Liverpool backline. But a foot injury suffered back in December (against Burnley) kept him sidelined up to now. Dejan Lovren, a regular last season, replaced him briefly in deep defence. However, a reoccurring hamstring strain disrupted his season too, leaving the Reds with Joel Matip as the only available option who also had a previous record of fitness concern.
The Merseysiders were forced to deploy Fabinho in a central defensive role on a few occasions, and the necessity of another centre-half cannot be ruled out considering the grind and demand of the English calendar. Alderweireld, 30, has been linked to league rivals (most recently to Manchester United) since the past few windows and his quality, as well as experience, would be instrumental for Liverpool to match the standard of Manchester City while contesting for multiple trophies.
Spurs, known as a notorious negotiator in the market, might be forced to sell the defensive ace who is under contract until the summer of 2020. A sum of £25m would be a significant profit compared to losing him for free one year later.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have a specific business model under FSG and are quite unlikely to splash the cash for a resource who is in his thirties. Yet the deal might still take place if they manage to offload Dejan Lovren this summer for a similar fee amid rumours from Italy. A like-for-like alternative must be considered due to the sheer excellence of Toby Alderweireld in the Premier League circuit.
