Liverpool in talks over full-back who is faster than Kylian Mbappe
Liverpool first-choice left-back Andy Robertson is out with a dislocated shoulder and Kostas Tsimikas is recovering from a broken collarbone.
This has led to Reds boss Jurgen Klopp naming Joe Gomez out on the left in Liverpool’s last two games.
According to 90Min, Liverpool have now set their sights on a new left-back, and Robinson is high up on their wish list.
The report claims that the Reds have reached out to Fulham over Robinson and are working in hope of striking an agreement.
Better still for Liverpool, the United States international is apparently open to a switch to Anfield.
Antonee Robinson ticks Liverpool boxes but Fulham won’t let him go for cheap – TBR View
Robinson has been a key player for Fulham over the years, going on to sign a new contract in the summer.
The 26-year-old has made 128 appearances for the Londoners, including 21 this season, of which 18 have come in the Premier League.
Robinson has also won 39 caps for the USMNT and played at the 2022 World Cup. He made a name for himself as one of the fastest players at the tournament.
As per Football Daily, he clocked up the joint fourth-highest speed in Qatar (21.99mph), faster than Kylian Mbappe (21.87mph).
Back in summer, the Evening Standard reported that the Cottagers wanted around £35million for Robinson. However, that was before he penned his new deal.
Let’s see what happens in the coming weeks. Liverpool definitely need reinforcements at left-back, and Robinson ticks a lot of boxes for the Reds.
However, Fulham’s hand is very strong in negotiations, and they won’t make it easy for the Reds.
Liverpool show ‘great interest’ in signing £70m playmaker, his club are getting worried
Ahead of the January transfer window, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side aren’t expected to have an extremely busy month off of the pitch.
Sitting top of the Premier League, it seems Klopp’s side will focus on their currently playing staff, and how they’ll cope with Mohamed Salah’s absence next month.
However, there are still talks that Liverpool could be plotting a big move for the future.
And their continued interest in one midfielder is starting to unsettle Inter Milan.
Despite signing a host of midfielders in the summer, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister being the highlights, Liverpool continue to be linked with a further signing.
It seems the summer overhaul isn’t quite complete, and that’s why Inter Milan are rushing to offer Nicolo Barella a new contract.
According to Italian outlet L’Interista, Inter are very aware of ‘great interest’ from Liverpool and do not want to lose Barella.
The midfielder has been valued at around £70m in the past, something that wouldn’t seem unrealistic given bids Liverpool made in the summer.
Klopp’s side reportedly made huge bids for both Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo who ended up at Chelsea – something that also encourages the idea of there being unfinished business.
Inter Milan wary of Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool’s strong interest in Nicolo Barella
Barella does have a contract with Inter Milan until 2026, however the club do not want to take any chances.
Liverpool’s project would be an attractive one for many a player, and Inter will want to protect their position.
Interestingly, this same report highlights Chelsea and Newcastle United as two other Premier League sides that hold strong interest.
But turning to focus back to Liverpool, it would be fascinating to see where Barella would fit in their midfield.
Like Mac Allister, Barella isn’t a typical defensive midfielder despite being able to perform in the role.
And it may come as a surprise to Liverpool fans if the club didn’t target an out-and-out defensive midfielder for their next addition.
That being said, one forward that the club have often been linked with has now sent a four-word message to Diogo Jota following yesterday’s win over Burnley.
Pundit says he’s a ‘big fan’ of 24-year-old Liverpool player Jurgen Klopp didn’t use against Burnley
Robbie Mustoe has named the player he believes is the best partner for Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
Some may feel that Jurgen Klopp’s side are yet to find their best form. However, the Reds still top of the Premier League table right now. And actually, no side in the division has conceded fewer goals than Liverpool.
Klopp has used five centre-backs in the Premier League this season, with the likes of Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah all starting alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Robbie Mustoe names Ibrahima Konate as the best partner for Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk
Quansah was excellent on Boxing Day as Liverpool beat Burnley. Meanwhile, Alisson was full of praise for Konate’s display against Arsenal before Christmas.
And speaking on NBC Sports, Mustoe opted for the Frenchman when asked who the best partner for van Dijk is.
“I think it’s Konate. I’m a big fan of Konate, we just talked about it. And maybe he isn’t durable enough to play every game, which he should be. I like him a lot,” he said.
Frenchman still has point to prove
The concern, as Mustoe notes, is that Konate does not seem to be able to string a number of appearances together.
He has not completed 90 minutes in three league games in a row this season. Even last year, when he completed almost every league game he started, he missed a large part of the campaign due to injury.
But you can understand why Mustoe chose Konate. Quansah is still finding his way in the first-team having made his debut earlier in the campaign.
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez’s versatility is particularly important right now with the likes of Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas out injured.
Liverpool need Konate to really step up over the coming months. The 24-year-old clearly has the talent to be outstanding at the highest level.
And if he plays a key role over the remaining months of the season, Liverpool stand a brilliant chance of keeping themselves at the summit of the table.
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