Liverpool have signed three midfielders so far in the transfer window but could still use another defensive addition.
Liverpool could turn to a familiar face this summer to resolve their search for a left centre-back.
According to reported in June that the Reds are considering a player in this position as Jurgen Klopp looks to add depth to a defensive unit which is starting to be cause for concern.
Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk are both in their thirties, with the former also entering the final 12 months of his contract while Joe Gomez has lacked both consistency and availability of late.
Liverpool have a long-term option on this part of the pitch in Ibrahima Konate – but that ends the list.
Unlike in attack, where the club’s traditional top three disappeared with the acquisitions of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, the same procedure has yet to take place on the other side of the pitch. Liverpool’s first two Premier League games against Chelsea and Bournemouth have given us a good indication of what can go wrong for Klopp’s side this season, as they are sometimes too easily thrown into dangerous areas by balls from behind and centers.
Several names have been suggested as possible options for the summer, including Levi Colwill and Micky van de Ven. Both players’ futures have now been decided, with the former signing a new long-term deal at Chelsea and the latter joining Tottenham Hotspur.
Another person believed to be in the Reds’ sights is Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, who is also believed to be a target for fellow Premier League side West Ham United. Hincapie, 21, signed for the German side two years ago and has been making an impression since moving from South America to Europe.
The youngster of Ecuadorian origin began his professional career at Independiente del Valle and evolved alongside a certain Moises Caicedo. The duo helped win the 2020 Under-20 Copa Libertadores, allowing Hincapie a move to Argentina a few months later and Caicedo a Premier League move in early 2021.
However, Hincapie’s stay in Argentina only lasted one season before Bayer Leverkusen called on his services in August 2021. The Ecuadorian, who can play as a centre-back, left-back or left-back, has proven to be a versatile campaigner in his first two seasons at the club, and his progress so far has been rewarded in the form of a new contract. earlier this year.
Leverkusen chief executive Simon Rofles justified the club’s decision saying: “Signing Piero 18 months ago was an investment in the future, at the time he was a talented centre-back with a very great potential.” He has long since become one of the most successful players in our Werkself, he has proven his international quality in the Bundesliga, the Champions League and most recently at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Piero is one of the key elements of the team on whom we can count to achieve our ambitious goals in the years to come.That praise was also expressed by the current Leverkusen manager, a figure Liverpool know best. Xabi Alonso was called up by the Bundesliga in October last year and led his side to third place.
Hincapie’s quality certainly didn’t escape Alonso, who gave the centre-back a rave review in March.”I think he’s a very modern defender,” said the former Liverpool midfielder. “He can play in different positions. He served as a full-back for us in the last two games, but he was also a left-back when we played with three defenders. He is aggressive and makes better decisions when given the opportunity. Ball leans more to play diagonal passes and get behind.
It motivates me to have a player with his potential and his desire because he helps you and you help him. He’s a great player.Hincapie was the player under 23 with the most minutes in the Europa League and/or Champions League last season (1,192), but how does he compare to Liverpool’s starting centre-back by one point? national view? The 21-year-old edged out Konate and Van Dijk in terms of blocked shots in 90 minutes (league games only), producing nearly double that (1.50 vs. 0.76 Van Dijk and 0.73 Conate). He also faced 65.8% of the dribblers he faced, compared to Van Dijk’s 42.1% and Konate’s 59.3%.From an offensive point of view, all three players behaved at the same level: Hicapie and Van Dijk produced three goals each, even if the former excelled in progressive carrying of the ball (46 to 10 Van Dijk and 7 Konate) .
One concern, however, is Hincapie’s disciplinary record after receiving three red cards in the Bundesliga last season.
This is an issue that needs to be resolved quickly if an agreement is reached.
Liverpool may have lost a 21-year-old Ecuadorian during the summer transfer window but the chance remains to avoid losing another future star.
