Liverpool verging on losing prized defender as well as top striker

After suffering a knock-back in their bid to land Chelsea’s David Luiz, Barcelona’s quest to land a Premier League centre half has seen them turn their attentions to Liverpool’s Daniel Agger.

The Dane has frequently been linked with a move to the Catalan club in the past and it appears that this summer they’ve firmed up their interest in the player by lodging a £17m bid with the Anfield club.

The Reds are facing the prospect of losing their best attacking player as Luis Suarez strives to orchestrate a move away from the club and now their best defender could be about to follow suit, which seriously hampers their already stingy 13/8 price to finish in the top four this season.

Whether they accept the bid remains to be seen, but with 28 years on the clock and seven years loyal service to the club under his belt, it’s difficult to see how Agger can resist such an opportunity.

His ability in possession makes him a valuable commodity in the modern game and he’s engineered almost exactly to slot straight into Barcelona’s system. Unlike the Catalan’s assumed primary target Luiz, Agger also benefits from being a much more competent defender.

If Barcelona up their offer to around the £20m mark and the player puts the pressure on, it would be incredibly difficult for Liverpool to prevent his exit.

This would leave a sizeable hole in their backline in what is an immensely important season for manager Brendan Rodgers, following the retirement of Jamie Carragher and rumoured departure of the out-of-favour Martin Skrtel.

It would potentially leave Kolo Toure and Sebastian Coates as the only centre backs of notable experience in their ranks and this calamitous pairing are likely to ensure the Reds are nowhere near the top four come next spring.

With less than a month before the curtains are drawn on the transfer window, Liverpool would perhaps be better off selling both Agger and Suarez quickly, filling out their war chest and bringing in two world class centre halves.
They appear well-equipped in terms of attacking options so beefing up the back four must be priority number one for Rodgers if he wants to enjoy the campaign ahead.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date