Paper Talk: Liverpool told which defender to sign as two more linked

The fall-out from Virgil van Dijk’s knee injury continues as Liverpool have been linked with three top defenders in January, while Wednesday’s paper gossip also names where Mesut Ozil will head upon leaving Arsenal.

 

KOULIBALY THE MAN LIVERPOOL MUST SIGN

Liverpool could create “a sensational pairing” between Virgil van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly if they were to move for the Napoli star in January.

The Holland star looks set to miss most of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Everton.

Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge forced the defender off the pitch and he will now undergo knee surgery.

The challenge which left the Dutchman’s season wrecked is, according to Gini Wijnaldum, causing Liverpool’s stars to have ‘sleepless nights’.

But with the January window set to open in just 72 days, Liverpool can soon address the problem.

Among the names being linked is Koulibaly.

While the Napoli defender would cost serious money, signing him now would give Liverpool the cover they need. Furthermore, it would allow them to form the world’s most fearsome defence once Van Dijk does return to fitness.

 

HUTCHISON WANTS KOULIBALY

That’s according to former Liverpool defender Don Hutchison.

 

Speaking to ESPN, via the Daily Mirror, he said: “If it happened to [Sadio] Mane, [Mohamed] Salah or [Roberto] Firmino, there are people who can cover. Players like [Takumi] Minamino and [Diogo] Jota can fill in, likewise in midfield.

“But you take Virgil van Dijk out of this Liverpool side.. He’s arguably one of the best centre-halves in Europe, the best by a country mile in the Premier League. It’s going to dent the optimism of Liverpool fans believing they can hold onto the title.

“If they can try and get through to January, with the window not too far away. It might push Jurgen Klopp, the staff and the guys above him to maybe go for a Koulibaly or one of those stellar signings to try and shore up that problem.

“Then when Virgil van Dijk does come back, you could have a sensational pairing.”

Meanwhile, Scandanavian broadcaster TV2 has a different take.

They believe Liverpool could pursue Brighton defender Ben White, or Schalke’s Ozan Kabak, when the window opens.

 


Subscribe to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…


OZIL HEADING TO USA

Mesut.Ozil_.Arsenal.TEAMtalk

Mesut Ozil is set to leave Arsenal in January with MLS clubs keen to sign the German. (Daily Star)

Chelsea could be set to rake in up to £50m in January if Frank Lampard sells the players he wants to. (Daily Star)

Manchester United and Barcelona reportedly both signed paperwork to allow Ousmane Dembele to join the Premier League giants during the summer. (Daily Star)

Manchester United and Liverpool are among five Premier League clubs being targeted again in a renewed attempt by Real Madrid’s president to launch a closed-shop European breakaway league. (Daily Telegraph)

The Liverpool dressing room is “devastated” and struggling to sleep after learning Virgil van Dijk is facing months out injured. (Daily Mirror)

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has expressed his disappointment at the club’s decision to dispense of the services of scouting guru Francis Cagigao. (Daily Mirror)

 

RICHARLISON’S WHATSAPP PAIN

Everton forward Richarlison received 10,000 WhatsApp messages in five minutes after PSG star Neymar gaffed by showing the forward’s number to the world during a live-streamed online video game. (Daily Mirror)

Leeds chief Angus Kinnear has blasted rivals Manchester United and Liverpool for their “treacherous” Project Big Picture. (Daily Mirror)

Marcelo Bielsa plans to offer Leeds stalwart Gaetano Berardi a coaching role while he recovers from his serious knee injury. (Daily Mirror)

Pep Guardiola is adamant Manchester City do not have a mental block when it comes to the Champions League. (Daily Mirror)

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland reportedly favours a move to Real Madrid ahead of Manchester United. (The Sun)

 

AND MORE GOSSIP

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has admitted Eden Hazard’s injury is ‘worse than first expected’ and he could be out for a month. (The Sun)

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa could be a TV star and may be the face of Yorkshire Tea after falling in love with the drink. (The Sun)

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard underrated Christian Pulisic when he first arrived at the club ‘because he was American’. (The Sun)

Dusan Tadic claims Ajax would have given Liverpool a tougher test than Spurs in the 2019 Champions League final. (The Sun)

Lionel Messi does not want to accept a 30 per cent pay cut at Barcelona, it has been claimed. (Daily Express)