The two signings who could help Liverpool’s defensive failings
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Part of the problem for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers was their leaky defence, and Jurgen Klopp has partially sorted it out.
Under the German manager the Reds have only conceded twice in four games, earning two clean sheets in the process.
However, it is still true that the Merseysiders have one of the worst defensive records in the league, conceding 11 in 10 Premier League matches and possessing the worst goal difference in the top nine.
Two of Klopp’s reported transfer targets are defensively minded, and here is how they could help turn the Reds fortunes around:
Neven Subotic
The 26-year-old defender followed the current Liverpool boss to Borussia Dortmund from Mainz, spending a total of seven years under the enigmatic gaffer’s tutelage.
Thomas Tuchel is less keen on the Serbian centre-back and Subotic has found his starts limited this season, with Mats Hummels and Sokratis Papastathopoulos above him in the pecking order and limiting him to one appearance.
Despite his lack of appearances this term, he is a quality defender and played every minute of Dortmund’s march to the Champions League final in 2013.
His lack of game time will likely drive his price and, coupled with his history with Klopp, would be a quality signing for Liverpool.
Mario Suarez
The Reds know they do well with anyone called Suarez in the team and Mario, no relation to the world’s most famous biter, would add some steel to the middle of the park.
Like Subotic, the 28-year-old was a big part of a campaign that led to a Champions League final as he heavily featured during Atletico Madrid’s great run in 2014.
However, having moved to Fiorentina in a swap deal for Stefan Savic this summer, the midfielder has found his chances limited.
Having played only four times for the Italian club since moving, he would welcome the chance of regular football and would surely be first choice ahead of Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva.
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