Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Exclusive: Marlon Harewood names unlikely centre-back saviour for Liverpool
Former Premier League striker Marlon Harewood has tipped Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold to move to centre-back, such is the dire status of the Reds’ injury list.
Liverpool are currently nursing through a catastrophic injury crisis, particularly in their defensive department, with their first-choice partnership Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez ruled out for a significant part of the season due to serious knee injuries.
Alexander-Arnold to fill Van Dijk’s shoes?
Alexander-Arnold picked up an injury during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City before the lengthy November international break, but is expected to be back in a few weeks.
But with manager Jurgen Klopp having to utilise youngsters Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips in the backline, the question remains whether they will dip into the transfer market when it opens its doors next month.
Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Harewood believes that Alexander-Arnold can do an emergency job in the shoes of Van Dijk and Gomez.
“I’m sure there are players in there that can fill that space,” he said.
“Milner can go right-back and Alexander-Arnold can go to centre half. There are ways that they can do it.”
Transfer Tavern Verdict
It’s understandable for Liverpool to assess all of the possible options, and although surprising, Harewood’s suggestion may well prove to be fruitful one – Alexander Arnold could certainly replicate van Dijk’s long balls if teams ‘park the bus’ at Anfield.
The Englishman’s passing ability from out wide is one of the main reasons they have been so successful over the past 12 to 18 months, but given the current crisis it may well be a case of needs must.
If Liverpool opt not to bring in the likes of Dayot Upamecano or Kalidou Koulibaly to Anfield in January, these options must be explored.
In other news, Liverpool suffer seismic transfer blow as agent confirms ‘outstanding’ defender could be moving elsewhere.
