Liverpool Rumors: Reds To Ramp Up Chase For Upamecano, Koulibaly

Liverpool FC may have to spend heftily anew this January as the Reds try to address their defensive needs.

Virgil van Dijk will be out for an unspecified period after undergoing knee surgery, while players like Joel Matip and Fabinho are also out of commission.

With multiple defenders out of action for Liverpool, Nathaniel Phillips was given the chance to cover the center-half spot against West Ham. Along with Joe Gomez, the Reds need to add more players to the position if they are to remain competitive.

Phillips made a good account of himself against West Ham, but Jurgen Klopp needs more bodies he can rely on. One name that has come is Dayot Upamecano of RB Leipzig, Goal reported.

Liverpool was one of the teams linked to Upamecano by RB Leipzig was able to fend them off and other suitors. Aside from the Reds, another club that was pursuing the 21-year-old defender was Manchester United, another club looking to ramp up their defensive unit.

Considering Upamecano will be a widely pursued player soon, the Reds need to broaden the list of targets. Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes that the Reds should start investing in much younger athletes when he spoke to Stadium Astro.

“For me, [Joe] Gomez is a top center-back. He has everything. His improvement over the last few seasons, can you rely on him like you do with Van Dijk?” he said. “I believe Gomez and Van Dijk when they are fit, I don’t know who else can be better than the two together. I believe they should go for a younger player, and I think that’s what Liverpool will do.”

Aside from Upamecano, another potential name is Kalidou Koulibaly. The Reds are expected to try and get the 29-year-old this January anew.

With a gaping hole in the defensive line, Liverpool now has more than enough reason to push for a deal for Koulibaly with SSC Napoli.

But even if the Reds can get Upamecano or Koulibaly, Enrique feels that the two footballers are not at the same level as that of van Dijk.

“Upamecano is a good player. There are players in La Liga, but they are not as good as Gomez. It’s difficult. There are a lot of players in Europe and I’m sure they will find someone,” he stated.