Liverpool have been presented with an opportunity to sign Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, according to reports.
Alaba to Merseyside?
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has an ever-growing injury crisis in his defence, with Fabinho adding to his long and worrying list after limping off clutching his hamstring during his side’s 2-0 victory over FC Midtjylland in the Champions League last night.
With Virgil van Dijk out for a significant amount of time and Joel Matip unable to stay fit, Joe Gomez is now the club’s only established centre-back who is available for the German tactician to select.
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Academy gems Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio could be utilised from now until January, when Klopp may be tempted with the option of dipping into the transfer market, and that urge may have grown after a recent revelation in Bavaria.
According to Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk, Alaba rejected to extend his stay at the Allianz Arena and Football Insider believe this will open the door for Liverpool to attempt to bring the two-time Champions League winner to Anfield during the next transfer window.
The report added that the Austria international is out of contract next summer and could be available on a free transfer at that point, or could put pen to paper on a pre-contractual agreement in January for a summer move.
Alaba is a well-respected player in the Bayern ranks, particularly by Joshua Kimmich, who described his ability as “outstanding” (via Bundesliga), having scored 31 times and provided 49 assists from 393 appearances over the course of 10 years (TransferMarkt).
Action needed now rather than later
While the signing of Alaba would be quite a coup for Liverpool, especially in a problematic position, that alone may not be enough as their treatment room continues to fill up with defenders. Klopp will need to take action sooner rather than later and ensure that players are coming in this season before the damage to their Premier League title challenge is already done.
His team worked remarkably hard last year to secure their first league crown in 30 years and that could be difficult to repeat in 2021 given their injury woes. Liverpool have the destiny to change their fortunes in the upcoming transfer window.
That being said, the Reds have been linked with the likes of Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig and Kalidou Koulibaly, both of whom would fit the bill at Anfield. But Klopp must have plans in place to see themselves through to the end of the season.
In other news, Liverpool fans blast ‘completely useless’ 25 y/o during FC Midtjylland victory.
