Liverpool sent scout to Sporting Lisbon vs Porto as new centre-back possibility emerges
Liverpool had a scout at the Estádio Jose Alvalade when Sporting Lisbon hosted Porto and had their sights set on young defender Goncalo Inacio as they eyed new reinforcements
Liverpool sent a scout to watch Sporting Lisbon vs Porto clash while keeping an eye on young centre-back Goncalo Inacio.
The Sporting defender has enjoyed a rapid rise and is attracting a lot of interest. The Reds sent someone to watch him live and after seeing him up close, a move for the 21-year-old is now being considered, according to Correio da Manhã.
Inacio has a €45m release clause but Sporting might be open to other offers. Despite their recent domestic success, the Portuguese are likely to miss out on the Champions League as they currently lie fourth. That will have financial implications that could result in them cashing in on their most important assets.
Sporting director Ruben Amorim has previously praised Inacio’s quality: “[Goncalo] Inacio can play on one side and then come back in, [making it unpredictable for our opposition] so we made good use of its properties. Inacio is also very fast, offers long passes, can play inside and can even get to the top of the field before other players by giving [Pedro] Porro more freedom.”
Liverpool’s defensive resources have been tested due to the absence of Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman picked up an injury a few weeks ago and there’s been a noticeable drop off when he’s not in the back four. Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are Jurgen Klopp’s other options.
The latter could still leave Anfield this summer, which would increase their need to add a new face. Liverpool are expected to invest in their squad this summer as there is talk of a rebuild under Klopp, with the current squad underperforming badly in the pursuit of the top four.
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Jamie Carragher has criticized his former club for aging their squad. Their recruitment, which has been key to their success so far, hasn’t been able to keep adding enough quality as they look for more players in the prime of their careers.
He said of the overlap: “Liverpool either have really old players or really young players. They don’t have anyone in that 25-29 sweet spot and that has to be credited to Klopp, Pep Lijnders and the recruitment team who have received more praise than any recruitment team I’ve ever seen in my life. You have to look at this squad and where it’s just gone.
Among the potential players on the club’s shortlist is former Sporting man Matheus Nunes, who joined Wolves in the summer despite rumors he was destined for Anfield. Liverpool could look to rekindle interest in the summer as Nunes now has a year’s Premier League experience.