For tactical reasons we’ve already explored, Jurgen Klopp is keen to add a left-footer to the backline. But with some initial goals falling short, what exactly do Liverpool need?

The ideal recruit would be a tall, strong, fast left-footed centre-back who could also play as a left-back.

They are specialists in defense construction and experienced players who will enable Liverpool to withstand pressure from opponents and keep their defense high.

While they should have top-level experience, ideally they are young enough to play alongside Virgil Van Dijk in a back three before succeeding him as Ibrahima Konate’s long-term partner in a back four.

It would be nice if they didn’t cost too much.

So who else fits the bill?

ideal goal

The ideal target is Josco Gvardio. The self-proclaimed Liverpool fan is still only 21, but he has already made his mark with RB Leipzig and Croatia, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League and most recently the World Cup.

At 6ft 1in, Gvardiol was a powerful defender who played at centre-back and left-back for club and country.

But his most striking stats are even further up: his expected goals per 90 minutes is 0.09, which ranks in the 90th percentile among centre-backs, while his shot chance creation rate of 1.04 per 90 puts him ahead of Liverpool’s current starting centre-backs. He’s an excellent ball handler with 1.0 improved possessions per 90 games.

Unfortunately, he could also move to Manchester City this summer for 100 million euros. But he’s a good benchmark we can use.

prospect

The other teams in the Bundesliga are Bayer Leverkusen Piero Hincapie. The 21-year-old has benefited greatly from being coached by Xabi Alonso, who uses a 3-4-3 formation with a midfield similar to Liverpool’s, although the width comes from the full-backs.

Hincapie can play both outside center back and left wing back, and he tends to attack opponents forward.

He has 1.85 progressive rushes and 0.44 successful catches per 90 games, backed up by solid defensive numbers with 2.32 tackles per 90 games and 1.38 blocks per 90 games.

He is closer in profile to Robertson than Gvardiot and, like the Scot, he will seek to push forward from the back three whenever possible.

Like Robertson, he wasn’t the tallest at just under 6 feet. A great player, but not necessarily a great one given his similarity to Liverpool’s current options.

Premier League proves

One option Liverpool have already explored is West Ham Naif Agaid.

The Moroccan, who lost another semi-final in Qatar, returned from injury in his debut season in the Premier League to help the Hammers beat their rivals and win the UEFA Champions League.

He is a testament to his aerial threat with an expected goals per 90 of 0.12, scoring twice in the league this season.

Agade started his career as a No.10 and at former club Rennes he has shown his proficiency in attacking from the back, with performances similar to that of Virgil Van Dijk – although his game has become more conservative as West Ham struggle to relegation.

But that only showcases his excellent defensive ability, with 1.47 blocks per 90 minutes and 4.46 clearances per 90 minutes.

Liverpool’s box defense in 2022/23 is questionable, as centre-backs continue to defend passively despite receiving less midfield protection than usual. Agade could fix that, but he’s 27 and has never played at full-back.

Liverpool could do worse, but maybe a little better.

The right Liverpool signing

One player to keep an eye on is Feyenoord’s David Hanko, given that Liverpool typically sign a player with no links but who turns out to be fantastic.

The Slovak was a key figure in Feyenoord’s Eredivisie triumph last year, playing an exciting high-pressing style under Arne Sloot.

Close observers of the Eredivisie voted Hanko the league’s best defender last season, ahead of new Arsenal signing Jurrien Timber, a 24-year-old who was in a similar situation.

His 2.13 shot creations, 7.44 progressive passes per 90 minutes and 2.16 touches in the opposition box put him in the 99th percentile of centre-backs worldwide, 93rd percentile of 0.1 passes per 90 minutes and 98th percentile of 2.07 progressive possessions per 90 minutes.

Hanko is an excellent progressive passer and ball handler who is a real goal threat from set pieces and open plays. His long-distance passing is similar to that of Van Dijk, and his crossing skills are similar to Robertson, but he is also a big man who can defend the penalty area-especially making clean tackles in his own box, which is a high-risk high-reward strategy that he seems to master.

He often did this when dropping back to defend on the counter-attack, while the team wanted to target Feyenoord’s high defensive line.

Hanko is also good at defending wide spaces, as Feyenoord use inverted full-backs on the right and attacking full-backs on the left, often having Hanko cover wide, similar to Ibrahima Konate’s role behind Trent Alexander-Arnold.

For those who like to pair hard cheddar cheese in statistics with sweet grapes in eye test, this reel demonstrates all of the above:

After a low-key move from Sparta Prague for 6 million euros, Hanko became an integral part of the title-winning side.

He won’t come cheap from the Eredivisie, but if that happens, Liverpool have an excellent left-back and an excellent candidate to replace Van Dijk one day.

road to liverpool

Or Liverpool could sign… nobody.

If this was my checkbook, I would be challenging Manchester City for Gvardio this summer. But there are some interesting tactical possibilities if Liverpool choose to stay dry.

We previously recommended a great Tifo video on how Liverpool could benefit from a return to a 4-3-3 formation, maximizing Andy Robertson’s full-backs. But Liverpool could also tweak their back three setup in a number of ways. There’s a 3-4-3 formation, putting a defensive midfielder in the backline and then widening out from the wing-backs…

…or a 3-5-2, compressing the midfield while unleashing Darwin Nunes. …

…or even an unbalanced 4-2-3-1 formation, with Trent permanently stationed in midfield and the defensive right-back covering behind him, allowing Robertson to push forward with the help of a back three behind him.

That’s the nature of football, even if you’re standing still, the game around you is always moving. The question is whether Liverpool act now, or wait for a more opportune time to strike.

more: Explaining why Liverpool want a left-wing centre-back