Liverpool have been tipped to get ‘creative’ with their summer transfer plans by signing former Jurgen Klopp target Lloyd Kelly from AFC Bournemouth.
According to reports by Goal, Liverpool are prepared to dip into the transfer market this summer in search of defensive cover but will only sanction spending on the right players.
Kelly is noted as having been a target for Klopp a year ago before the defender opted to join Bournemouth in a £13million transfer, which has not yet paid out the 21-year-old who has managed just seven appearances during the Cherries’ relegation-threatened season.
The Vitality Stadium outfit falling into the second-tier will likely lead to a mass exodus of the Boscombe-based club, creating what Goal believe to be a good opportunity for Liverpool to offer Kelly a second chance at moving to Anfield.
Klopp is noted as needing to find ‘creative’ options in the summer market when he is expected to lose centre-half Dejan Lovren, who Kelly could help to replace due to his versatility in the backline.
While a natural left-back, Kelly started six of his 48 senior appearances for Bristol City at centre-back and was once fielded on the right-hand side of the Robins’ backline before leaving Ashton Gate for what he hoped was a top-flight career.
Kelly also helped Bristol City to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over the eventually Premier League-bound Sheffield United during his games at centre-back in the 2018/19 Championship season.
Another possible defensive option Goal put forward is Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis as the Canaries ace is well thought of, but recent reports have suggested the Carrow Road outfit will demand £20m for the defender following their relegation back into the second-tier.
Who would you prefer Klopp to sign?
Kelly
Lewis
Bournemouth’s Kelly has been thwart with injuries throughout his debut term on the south coast, with the former Bristol City prospect missing the start of the campaign as a result of a ligament issue before sustaining a hamstring injury shortly after his return to fitness.
Eddie Howe was finally able to hand the England U21 international his Premier League debut as a late substitute against Wolves in June following the resumption of the season, and has since started the Bristol-born prospect in his side’s last six straight fixtures.
Kelly has been able to start showing why Bournemouth spent £13m to sign him a year ago in his recent outings but has still got clear room for improvements, with the 21-year-old recording on average 37.9 touches per game, with which he has played 0.3 key balls, 0.1 accurate crosses (20%), and makes 21.1 accurate passes (82%), per Sofa Score statistics.
He has also been steady defensively having helped to one clean sheet with 0.6 interceptions a game, 0.9 tackles, 2.0 clearances, 2.6 duels won and is only dribbled past 0.1 times.
If Liverpool do follow Goal’s inclination of a return to Kelly, the 21-year-old could be a solid back-up for Andy Robertson that Klopp can work well with.