Italian football expert Nicky Bandini believes that Liverpool moving for Milan Skriniar could gather momentum in the coming days.
The Lowdown: Defensive recruits a possibility
It doesn’t seem too long ago that Liverpool were facing another defensive crisis under Jurgen Klopp when they were having to field Jordan Henderson as a centre-back.
Fast-forward a few years, and things aren’t looking great, with leader Virgil van Dijk now set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after he was hooked off against Brentford with an injury.
Therefore, it would make sense for FSG and Klopp to move for a defender this month as they look to at least secure a spot in the top four, and they may wish to bring in a like-for-like replacement for Van Dijk in terms of his experience – which is where Skriniar would fit the mould.
The Latest: Liverpool could swoop ahead of rivals
Skriniar has been tipped with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the past, but Bandini has claimed live on Sky Sports that Liverpool could swoop for the defender this month.
She said: “We know that Skriniar has talked to Paris Saint-Germain, we know that that’s a transfer he’s interested in. The bigger question, I think, right now with Skriniar is, might someone make a move in January to preempt Paris Saint-Germain knowing Inter haven’t been able to get him to sign a new deal?
“They have been pushing for this new contract for months, there hasn’t been any movement, I don’t see any reason that’s about to change.
“What I do think might change the dynamic in general, is PSG think they can sit tight and get him in the summer. Clubs like, for instance, in particular, Liverpool, I think, are looking right now because they’ve got injury concerns in the middle of the season, you’ve got Virgil van Dijk not able to play, and you think, well, is there an opportunity to do a deal here at a good price – knowing what I just said.
“Inter need to bring money in and they know they’re about to lose this asset at the end of the season, and funnily enough, actually, Inter who, a couple of seasons ago, had the best defence in Serie A without changing personnel, are conceding heaps of goals anyway, so I actually think from their point of view, what do you lose?
“They’re not doing well defensively, if they got some money they can make off it. It’s very sort of tentative what I’m saying; I’m not telling you this deal is there ready to happen, but I think that’s a deal that might start picking up momentum in the next few days.”
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The Verdict: Skriniar could be a major coup for Klopp
On paper, it would appear Skriniar would be an ideal signing for Liverpool to have, not only while Van Dijk is out injured, but also once he returns, as the stats between the two defenders are very similar when it comes to progressive passes and touches on the ball – while Skriniar is even more accomplished when it comes to tackling (as per FBref).
So if Klopp and Liverpool could strike up a deal for someone that’s very experienced in Serie A and the Champions League for a cut-price fee given his contractual situation, it would appear to be a no-brainer.
However, if PSG start to hear murmurings of Liverpool plotting a move for Skriniar, they could fast-track their reported plans for the summer and swoop in this month for the defender, who has been hailed as ‘monstrous’ by Antonio Conte in the past.
