While there has been much focus on Liverpool's desire for attacking reinforcements, their need for a new defender or two is possibly even greater. Ever since they failed to land Marc Guéhi on deadline day last summer, the Reds have been short of at least one central defensive option. Jérémy Jacquet has arrived from Stade Rennais for £60 million, but he does not solve this issue, merely replacing his compatriot Ibrahima Konaté, who has departed on a free transfer for Real Madrid.
Well, could a much-needed centre-back be heading to Anfield? As reported by Massimo Pavan of Tutto Juve, Liverpool "have held initial talks" with A.C. Milan over the possibility of signing Fikayo Tomori. They add that the Reds are currently trying to determine the "feasibility" of any deal, with Juventus also interested in bringing the England international to Turin.
Tomori has just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Rossoneri and, while they are reluctant to sell, this could force their hand. Also, after A.C. Milan spectacularly failed to qualify for the Champions League last season, many of their key assets have been linked with a move away, most notably Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic. So, could they cash in on Tomori?
What Fikayo Tomori would bring to Liverpool
Tomori's current contractual situation makes this a deal that Liverpool could feasible finalise, probably for a pretty reasonable fee. More importantly though, would he actually improve this squad? Since departing Chelsea to join the seven times champions of Europe, Tomori has been a consistently excellent defender.
He started 30 matches as the Rossoneri won the Serie A title in the 2021/22 season, which remains Il Diavolo's sole Scudetto triumph since 2011. The following year, A.C. Milan made a historic run to the Champions League semi-finals, with Tomori excellent throughout that escapade too.
This is not to say Tomori's importance has deteriorated more recently. He started 31 Serie A games last season, ranking highly when it came to blocks, tackles and completed passes among defenders in Italy's top-flight. Thus, especially if he is being recruited to be a depth option, Tomori seems to be a sensible choice, meaning this is a deal that Richard Hughes and the recruitment team should certainly attempt to make happen.
Liverpool's current centre-back injury crisis
Ahead of Sunday's pre-season friendly against Leeds United at Soldier Field, Andoni Iraola currently has no senior centre-backs at his disposal. Joe Gomez suffered a "muscle injury" during the first match of the Reds' U.S. tour against Sunderland in Tennessee, an issue that will see him sidelined for a few weeks, thereby missing the Premier League opener against Newcastle in just 22 days time.
Meantime, Jérémy Jacquet is not yet ready to feature following shoulder surgery in February, while Giovanni Leoni is continuing to rehabilitate the anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in an EFL Cup tie against Southampton in September, coming in his debut no less.
Lastly, club captain Virgil van Dijk has commenced pre-season at AXA Training Centre, with his minutes being carefully managed following a gruelling campaign. So, for this weekend's fixture in Chicago, youngsters Luke Chambers, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe will continue to share the defensive minutes.
The latter, who has arrived from Austria Wien for £2.6 million, has been excellent during both pre-season wins so far against Sunderland and Wrexham, praised for his presence and composure. The 18 year old is clearly talented and could prove to be a bargain in the future.
However, Ndukwe currently does not qualify for a British work permit, having only made one senior appearance for his former club die Veilchen, as well as only being capped by Austria under-19s. Thus, he will have to be loaned out, and is not a solution going forward, hence the added need for signings.
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