It is imperative for Liverpool to strengthen at centre-back. Bayern Munich’s David Alaba - out of contract this summer - has been heavily linked with Liverpool, but he is expected to join Real Madrid if there can be a reduction in his wage demands.
While the defender’s skillset is appreciated by Liverpool, he is understood to be too small - his height is 1.8m in comparison to Van Dijk (1.93m), Matip (1.95m), Gomez (1.88m) - and not strong enough aerially for their requirements at centre-back.
Club sources say there are no designs on recruiting around the age of 30 for the position and that a move for Alaba is “a hard no.” The complication of the January window has been discussed, but when Liverpool do buy a centre-back, it will be their intention that the player ultimately replaces Matip.(Melissa Reddy)