Liverpool want Nikola Maksimovic.
There’s no secret that the vast majority of Reds want to see the club sign a defender in the January transfer window.
We’re going into a massive clash against Manchester United debating over who among Jordan Henderson, Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips should start the game. Next to another midfielder, Fabinho.
Season-ending injuries to Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk left Liverpool in the worst possible position; having to rely on Joel Matip’s dodgy body to get them through the campaign.
Just like clockwork, Matip broke down and that leaves us in the current position: picking from midfielders and youngsters for the game that could define our season.
Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards have said they won’t be buying anyone in the current window, that finances simply do not allow for it.
However, that could all be a smokescreen as the duo looks around Europe to find a player who can meet fairly specific criteria. Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentis feels that he might have a player who can do a job for Liverpool.
The most shocking thing is that this footballer isn’t Kalidou Koulibaly. Koulibaly has been linked with move after move to Liverpool, but thoughts of the world-class centre-back moving to Anfield seem to have been consigned to the past.
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Instead, De Laurentis revealed that the Reds have been taking a look at Nikola Maksimovic. The 29-year-old was signed for big money in 2017 but took some time to settle in Naples, even spending half a season on loan in Moscow just six months after signing.
After a slow start in Serie A for Napoli, Maksimovic has started five games in a row, and has played every single one of the Italian side’s Europa League games.
De Laurentis was speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT when he broke the news of Liverpool’s interest in the Serbian international. White was originally speaking to the Napoli boss about Koulibaly, when the subject of conversation suddenly changed.
"“I thought you were going to refer to our defender Nikola Maksimovic, the Serbian who is 29 years of age, and Liverpool’s previous interest in him,” said De Laurentis.White added: “So I said ‘are Liverpool still interested in your defender?’ He interrupted me to say of course with injury problems to Gomez and Van Dijk but no they haven’t heard from them of late.”"
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