Jurgen Klopp’s men fell to yet another demoralising defeat in the hands of Crystal Palace at Anfield this weekend as they failed to consolidate their place in the top-4. They played with their first-choice centre-back partnership but shipped away two goals to Christian Benteke, who made an extra effort not to celebrate in front of the Liverpool faithful.
The game highlighted the problems Liverpool have at the back and that is something Jurgen Klopp is determined to address this summer. The likes of Virgil van Dijk and Jose Gimenez were linked with a move to the club this summer but one player who is now constantly linked with a move to Anfield is former Manchester United man Michael Keane.
The Burnley defender was kicked out of Manchester United a couple of seasons ago but he improved tremendously under Sean Dyche and stands as one of the best defenders in the league this season. A no-nonsense defender who hates opponents playing in his third, Keane is exactly the kind of defender that Liverpool need this summer, albeit a raw version.
The Reds have not been able to show strength at the back and have often been bullied by strikers who use strength as opposed to their skill. Joel Matip is still learning his trade in England while Dejan Lovren, like against Palace, has not convinced enough to keep his place in the first team next season. Klopp wants a defender whose expertise is to deal with such a physical approach and Keane is quite the perfect man.
Having played all his football in England, Keane is not one bit fazed about putting his body on the line. In fact, he is a defender not many strikers will want to fight a physical battle with, and this, in itself might help Liverpool improve their backline.
He is a decent passer and dribbler who can be of good effect at both ends of the field but Keane will be expected to act as the sweeper to try and win everything thrown into the box against Liverpool. Matip is smart and will become better with more game time and partnering him with Michael Keane, who has different sets of attributes might complete Liverpool’s defence and add balance to the backline.
Yes. He was a Manchester United player but with him becoming a necessity rather than a luxury, Liverpool should do all it takes to lure him to Anfield this summer. His Premier League experience could surely make Liverpool a far better team defensively than they are at the moment. But do you think he is the right man to solve all the defensive problems for Liverpool this summer?
