Liverpool are reportedly looking at Borussia Dortmund’s defence, Manuel Akanji, at the helm of the January movement window. The 25-year-old has been a regular player in the Bundesliga squad this season, in all of the club’s two high-level matches.
The Reds see Akanji as an option for RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano, who has attracted great interest from several major European clubs in years, according to the Daily Mail.
Anfield’s club is said to have to pay a ransom for Upamecano’s negotiations, with Leipzig imposing a value of 35 million pounds on its valuable asset.
As a result, Klopp may simply try to attack his former employers for Akanji next month, and foreign Swiss are likely to rate a small fee.
The player’s long career in Dortmund is said to be doubtful after former coach Lucien Favre’s departure this month.
Akanji secured his move from German in 2018 after an impressive season with FC Basel in his home country.
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He is fast, skilled in the ball he has on his feet and can play with ease, which can make him a smart candidate for Liverpool in the midst of his current defensive injury crisis.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are offside for long-term injuries that have forced Klopp to fill rounds with square ankles.
Fabinho has fallen into centre defence several times, while fringe player Nathaniel Phillips has also deployed in the absence of the usual two starters.
Liverpool nearly landed Akanji before he became trapped in Dortmund, and The Independent claimed in December 2017 that the Reds had known the defender as a secondary target in their attempts to lure Van Dijk away from Southampton without success.
Klopp admitted last month that he knew if the club would aim to designate a new central defender in January.
“In January I don’t know if we can do anything,” he told reporters in a 3-0 win over Leicester City in Anfield. “I have no idea right now, even if we have to do something. They’re fine.
“We use the boys we have and I’m satisfied with how lucky they are. You deserve to see them in training, they can feel lucky! It is ok.
“I’m convinced it’ll work with the boys, and I hope we can convince the rest of the world, too. “