Strongest Liverpool Backline With Virgil van Dijk In The Mix
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have finally managed to land their top transfer target in Virgil van Dijk. But the media is full of pundits claiming that his £75m transfer fee is a bit too much for a defender. However, the Dutch international solves an impending problem at the club, and can now help Liverpool compete at the highest level, for years to come.
Van Dijk’s signing means that Liverpool now have decent quality in their backline but as options galore, it is now important for Klopp to stick with his first choice backline for the most important games this season. But what is Liverpool’s strongest backline, now that VVD has also joined in?
The keeper’s position is a discussion for a completely different piece but here are Liverpool’s strongest options at the back.
Right-Back
The Reds stuck with former Southampton man Nathaniel Clyne for most of the previous season but the English international picked up a serious injury, which has ruled him out at least until February. They needed immediate reinforcements but Klopp has found a couple of impressive kids in Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The former recently made his senior debut for the English national side while the 19-year old only scored his first league goal, earlier this month. Both players have been impressive but Gomez, who has been solid in almost every game, should be Klopp’s first choice right-back.
Left-Back
While Spaniard Alberto Moreno has been impressive from the start of the season, a part of the fans are convinced that he is not a long-term option and most of them are impressed by the way newbie Andrew Robertson has owned his place in the side.
The Scott remains the first choice for Liverpool, now that Moreno is absent, but the Spaniard might not take too long to regain his place in the first-team once he comes back fit. Midfielder James Milner can always act as a backup in this role.
Central Defence
Now for the interesting part, Klopp now has three players to call upon for these roles. While Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, who played the game against Swansea recently, have been exceptional at the back, new signing Virgil van Dijk, with his £75m price tag, is expected to walk into the first-team.
He likes to play on the left-hand side of the partnership, which means that he will take Klavan’s place in the first-team. The Estonian has probably been Liverpool’s best defender this season but former Schalke man Joel Matip has been solid at the back and is expected to get even better, with a player of VVD alongside him at the back.
The best news for Liverpool fans will be the fact that the error-prone Dejan Lovren will now be their 4th choice, leaving Liverpool with a backline of Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk and Robertson for most of the crunch games coming up after January.