Liverpool have been linked to an abundance of defensive talent all across Europe lately due to the Reds being in the market for a central defender after the season-long injuries to both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, which has led to midfielder Fabinho having to cover in defence for the club.
The latest name to enter the mix is that of Borussia Dortmund and Swiss international defender Manuel Akanji, who has been seen as an alternative to RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, who has also been linked with a move to the Reds over the past month.
Akanji has had a great start to this season for Dortmund, having started 11 games in the Bundesliga so far this season with an average of 1.9 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, and 2.8 clearances per game. The Swiss international is also very good with the ball at his feet, averaging a 91.5% pass success rate, showing his impressive passing ability.
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I haven’t seen Akanji play too often but the stats don’t lie about his ability, he is clearly a very capable defender as is still young at just 25-years-old.
The player is currently rated at £22.5 million according to Transfermarkt and would likely cost in excess of that if the Reds were to make a move for the player from Jurgen Klopp’s former club.
I don’t think the Reds will make a move for Akanji in the winter, with them needing a player more adapted to the style and pace of the Premier League and preferably already with experience in the English top division with them needed to fit in quickly and adjust to the climate almost instantly due to the demand needed in defence for the Reds.
What do you think Liverpool fans, would Manuel Akanji be a good fit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…