Liverpool have engineered a very good season so far and are serious contenders for the Premier League title. Under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp, the Reds have been able to finally steady their ship, leaving absolutely no doubt that if such commendable performances continue to persist, they would soon be finding themselves at the pinnacle of English football once again.
However, the competitiveness and hostility in the Premier League are tremendous and there can be absolutely no room for complacency. While their league rivals are leaving no stone unturned to bolster their depth, Liverpool also need to do the same before the January transfer window closes. Klopp’s defensive unit has been leaky and this is one of the few loopholes he needs to address this month as the league moves towards the business end of the season.
Reportedly, Liverpool have been linked with Southampton’s José Fonte to strengthen their backline. The Portuguese has handed a transfer request at the club in order to terminate his stay at the St. Mary’s Stadium, despite eighteen months still left on his contract. Frankly speaking, Fonte is a very shrewd target assessed by the eighteen-time league champions, for Mamadou Sakho is now an outcast at the club owing to his disciplinary issues and thus, Liverpool do need bodies at the back.
Fonte is unarguably one of the best defenders in the league. The Euro 2016 winner is a household name, a proven leader and a defensive veteran who would be an asset for a massive side like Liverpool. Once again this season, the 33-year-old played a key role for the Saints, appearing in seventeen games and forming a formidable partnership at the heart of Claude Puel’s defence alongside Virgil van Dijk. Fonte wants to experience new endeavours, and for this reason, he seeks a way out of Southampton.
Klopp needs to add the shield of mettle and resilience to his defence and Fonte’s attributes, experience and leadership qualities are simply unparalleled, which is why he has cultivated worldwide recognition for himself. Liverpool have a long list of players who arrived from Southampton, with the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mané and Dejan Lovren playing a key role at Anfield. If the deal eventually materialises, it would not only help them to maintain their stronghold in the race for Champions League spots and the league title but will also help Klopp to get an impetus on which he can build his defence for the future.
