Liverpool set to sign defender ‘better than Virgil Van Dijk’

Liverpool edging closer to an exciting target.

As Joel Matip winced and touched his thigh in pain on a brisk Anfield night, Liverpool knew they were in trouble. The Cameroonian international was the last senior centre back available for selection for the Reds and his latest set-back has compounded Jurgen Klopp’s troubles.

Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk are already ruled out with long term injuries. With crucial games coming up the Reds will have to rely on their youngsters to make it through.

The January transfer window could not come fast enough.

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Yesterday flames were ignited with rumours spreading like wildfire about the potential arrival of Sven Botman at Anfield after this cryptic post on Instagram.

The Lille centre-back is a product of Ajax’s academy and has excelled since arriving in France this summer.

At just 20 years of age, he clearly has a high ceiling potential if the Reds are considering making a move for the young man.

More interestingly according to Duncan Castles of the Reach PCL Transfer Window Podcast via the Daily Express Jose Fonte who has played with Virgil Van Dijk at Southampton and is now teammates with Sven Botman, believes the 20 year old Liverpool target is better than Van Dijk himself.

Of course there is still a lot to be agreed, and at 20 years of age Sven Botman will no doubt need to adapt to the Premier League.

However his physicality is an impressive attribute and there are definitely flickers in his performances which hint he could become a menacing centre-back for the Reds.

An interesting marker of his talent is just how comfortable he is playing on the ball. This season no U23 player has made more progressive passes than Sven Botman in Europe’s top five leagues via First Time Finish.

With the Reds increasing focus on playing out from the back and instigating attacks that could be an important statistic and more proof that Botman is of the same ilk as Van Dijk.

It is also an area of weakness for the likes of Nathan Phillips and Rhys Williams and probably another marker as to why the Reds have struggled to create chances with their youngsters playing at the back.

Would you be happy with the arrival of Sven Botman?