When January arrives, Liverpool appears ready to turn to a target Jurgen Klopp was interested in over three years ago, according to a new report.
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Liverpool is making acquisitions in January?
Overall, the Reds had a successful summer transfer window, despite the opinion of some fans that Wataru Endo’s position as a defensive midfielder should be filled by a different central defender and an additional pure defensive midfielder.
However, there is no disputing that Liverpool had an exciting makeover in the center of the field with the additions of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch, who replaced five players.
Except for Bournemouth at home, the Merseysiders have had a terrific start to the season, earning ten points from four games in the Premier League that had a challenging appearance. There is optimism in the air.
However, if Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez continue to struggle with injuries, the club may still attempt to add fresh players in the January transfer window, particularly at the back.
Who has ties to Liverpool?
Football Insider reports that the Reds are now prepared to make a January transfer for Bournemouth center-back Lloyd Kelly, having first been interested in the defender back in the summer of 2020:
Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly could be available for a cut-price fee in January with Liverpool ready to swoop for his services, sources have told Football Insider. The Merseysiders could be joined in the race for the 24-year-old by Tottenham – who are also keen to land him.
“Kelly is out of contract at Bournemouth in June 2024 and can therefore discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides in January. But Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham are ready to battle to keep him in England and ensure Bournemouth recoups a fee for the center-back.”
Kelly, who has been a highly regarded player for several years and is capable of playing a hybrid role between the center and left-back positions, might be exactly what Liverpool is looking for in a new center-back acquisition.
The Englishman, at 24 years old, has done well at Bournemouth after moving there from Bristol City in 2019, making 119 appearances for the Cherries, contributing seven assists and scoring twice. He started 23 games in the Premier League last year, which helped his team avoid the drop.
In addition, Kelly has earned nine and ten caps for England’s Under-20s and Under-21s, respectively, highlighting his international pedigree. Former Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil stated earlier this year that Kelly has “the potential he has to be a top defender” and described him as “very, very impressive.”
The center-back could replace Virgil van Dijk, the 32-year-old Liverpool captain, and offer fierce competition for players like Matip and Gomez, perhaps moving ahead of them in the pecking order right away. Given his age, he might even be seen as Virgil van Dijk’s replacement in the long run, even though the latter is currently stagnant.
