Liverpool supporters are significantly more buoyant in the Transfer Tavern today after seeing their side ease past Stoke City 3-0 at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night, thus getting them back to winning ways after two frustrating draws last week.
Jurgen Klopp’s men threw away a three-goal lead to end up drawing 3-3 against Sevilla in their penultimate Champions League group stage clash last week, thus making the Reds wait until the final round of games to book their place in the knockout stages. And although they looked on course to beat Premier League champions Chelsea on Saturday thanks to Mohamed Salah’s 65th minute strike, Willian’s floated effort five minutes from time sailed over the head of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to preserve a point for Antonio Conte’s Blues, and in turn instigate Liverpool’s fall to sixth in the Premier League table.
However, the Reds got back to winning ways on Wednesday night thanks to a comfortable win over Stoke, with a brace from Mohamed Salah and a Sadio Mane strike securing all three points for the Merseyside giants, delighting several of our resident Liverpudlians.
Elsewhere, there has been plenty for those Reds fans lining up at the bar to get their teeth into, not least recent reports linking the Merseyside giants with a move for Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet.
The 22-year-old only made the move to the La Liga outfit back in January of this year but has seriously impressed in their backline, making 38 appearances in all competitions for the club, 19 of which have come in their solid start to the current campaign.
And the former France Under-21 international has certainly impressed many clubs around Europe as the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, and indeed Liverpool are reportedly interested in the defender, whose buyout clause reportedly sits at just £28 million, which is significantly less than what they may have to stump up to land Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.
Yet Klopp’s Reds must pursue a deal for Lenglet instead in January, as his arrival could finally solve Liverpool’s recurrent defensive woes given his excellent efforts for Sevilla, alongside his versatility to play different roles across the back four.
Ultimately, Klopp’s side haven’t defended well enough for a while now, having conceded more goals (42) than the rest of the Premier League’s top four last term, and having shipped more than any side currently in the top seven this time round (16).
And given the individual errors that the likes of Alberto Moreno and Dejan Lovren have made so far this season, one senses that a personnel change is certainly needed in that backline to make it more solid and able to combat the best attackers Europe has to offer.
And Lenglet could be that man, given that he is a strong presence in the Sevilla defence, while he also has the pace and strength to make life uncomfortable and ultimately unrewarding for top Premier League strikers.
And given his abilities on the ball as well, the Frenchman would be perfect in the heart of that Liverpool back four, while he also possesses a trait which must be of interest to Reds boss Klopp, namely that he can play left-back.
Moreno made a solid start to the campaign but has struggled in recent weeks, most notably against Lenglet’s current employers, while summer signing Andrew Robertson hasn’t had much of a chance to impress Klopp having started just twice so far in the league.
Thus, the left-back department does appear to be a problem area for Klopp, but Lenglet’s arrival would seriously aid that area as well as the centre-back department, which appears to be the two areas that Liverpool must improve in the January window.
Whether Klopp would want him at left-back as opposed to centre-back remains to be seen, but there’s little doubting that the 22-year-old would make a huge difference to the strength and resilience of the Reds backline.
And that is why they must seek to fend off the Manchester duo to land the £6.75 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) in the winter window.
Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!
