Liverpool’s defensive woes this season are no secret and nor are their goalkeeping distresses. Jurgen Klopp has often seen his team conceding quick goals at crucial moments, which has robbed the Reds of many crucial points, and the club is expected to beef it up, coming January.
Despite Jurgen Klopp bringing in Matip and Ragnar Klavan last summer, the Reds fragile backline has been a constant so far. While Matip has been consistent at the back and the teams have visibly struggled in his absence, Klavan has seen very little first team action. Dejan Lovren has been hugely erratic at the back and Karius’ calamitous goalkeeping hasn’t helped the cause any further. Consequently, Liverpool have conceded 20 goals in 17 games so far.
If not for their powerful attacking displays, which have led them to score 43 goals in the same number of games, Liverpool wouldn’t be in the second position in the league table. However, one cannot win games knowing that there is a high possibility of conceding every time the opponent is going to the counter. And if Klopp is on his way to give Liverpool what they have been waiting for so many years, a robust backline is a necessity.
And they just might have the perfect option in soon to be exiled Southampton defender Jose Fonte. The skipper is leaving next season as the club failed to strike a contract extension with him. Southampton are currently unwilling to offer a longer contract to the 32-year-old Portugal international but Fonte had expected more.
His recent Instagram exchanges with former Saints teammate Lovren has created a spark among fans about his next destination. A closer look, however, reveals he could be a brilliant signing for the Reds.
Of course, a player of calibre will hardly have problems finding suitors and given Liverpool’s history of being a player magnet from Southampton, a move won’t even surprise anyone. The biggest advantage of signing him would his tailor-made traits to play in the Premier League.
Fonte joined Crystal Palace in 2007 from Benfica and made a move to Southampton three years later after some rock-solid displays at the back. He has been brilliant this season too. He has won 50% of his average duels and has 85% passing accuracy. At 187cm, he looks to be the ideal option for Klopp to place alongside Matip.
Southampton cannot squeeze out much from the sale of their ageing skipper and as per Guardian, the Saints expect a fee in the region of 5-6 million pounds, which Liverpool won’t mind spending. Although Fonte is definitely not a long-term option, he could surely a hell of a temporary solution to Liverpool’s defence.
