Klopp urges Liverpool to complete deal for defensive powerhouse

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has reportedly urged the club’s owners to complete a January deal for a Serie A centre-back.

The Reds have been tipped to bring in defensive reinforcements since both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were ruled out long term.

Klopp has hinted that he may dip into the market, particularly with Joel Matip also adding to his issues at the back.

Indeed, the Reds boss opted to start Jordan Henderson alongside Fabinho at the heart of defence against Southampton on Monday night.

And according to Tuttosport, as cited by SportWitness, Klopp wants to bring in Torino star Gleison Bremer this month.

Liverpool were first linked with the 23-year-old last week, along with Merseyside rivals Everton.

The player was also wanted by Fulham over the summer. However, his stock has risen since the start of the season.

Bremer helped the Turin outfit secure just their second cleansheet of the season when they beat Parma 3-0 at the weekend.

 

The Brazilian has completed 90 minutes in 12 of Torino’s 15 Serie A games to date. The relegation battlers have, however, conceded the second-most goals in the Italian top-flight so far.

Bremer joined Torino from Brazilian outfit Atletico Mineiro in the summer of 2018.

The 6ft 2in powerhouse is regarded as a promising talent who would probably be a quick fix for Liverpool.

The report adds that when the likes of Van Dijk and Gomez return, he would be used a rotational option.


Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…


John Terry almost joined Liverpool

John Terry spent a large chunk of his playing career in combat with Liverpool, yet it has now emerged that he was ready to agree to a transfer to Anfield.

Terry became Chelsea legend as he won a huge collection of trophies with the west London club. But former Liverpool coach Phil Thompson has revealed the centre-back was ready to move to Merseyside in 2003.

“In the final game of the 2002/03 season, it was a shoot-out between Liverpool and Chelsea for the last Champions League place,” Gerard Houllier’s former assistant Thompson told Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth podcast.

“This was just before Roman Abramovich came in (and bought Chelsea). We’d heard Chelsea were in dire straits, and they weren’t going to offer Frank Lampard or John Terry a contract.

“After the game, as Chelsea were doing a lap of honour, Gerard Houllier said to me that Terry was a bit of a player. I agreed, adding I didn’t think they’d offered him a contract.

“So Houllier went and shook John Terry’s hand and asked ‘how would you like to play for Liverpool?’ and John said: ‘I’d love to, Mr Houllier.’

“After, we sent one of our coaches into the players’ lounge and asked John for his agent’s phone number. John said: ‘I’ll do more than that, here’s my personal telephone number, ask him to give us a call’. Read more…