Liverpool could sign record-breaking Belgium star or Xabi Alonso reject to solve defensive crisis

14/12/2023 11:00

Jurgen Klopp may not admit that Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back in January.

But Joel Matip’s season ending injury might just force the Reds into action as they look to strengthen in the New Year.

With that in mind, WhoScored.com have picked out five centre-backs Liverpool could target to ease the pressure on their backline when the January window opens.

Maxence Lacroix – Wolfsburg

Having fallen off the radar a little, Maxence Lacroix has once again donned the gossip columns as Liverpool consider a January move for a new centre-back.

Wolfsburg may sit 11th in the Bundesliga but that shouldn’t be a stick with which to beat Lacroix, who is still highly thought of across Europe.

The 23-year-old ranks top for passes per game (61.5) of all Wolfsburg players in the Bundesliga this season, while 60 accurate long balls is the sixth highest of outfielders in the division.

For a Liverpool side that seeks to use the centre-backs to build attacks from defence, Lacroix would be a good fit. Favouring the right-sided centre-back role, Lacroix would also prove a sound partner for captain Virgil van Dijk.

Goncalo Inacio – Sporting CP

Speaking of ball-playing centre-backs, there are few, if any, better than Goncalo Inacio at carrying out the role in Liga Bwin.

Sporting CP currently top Portugal’s top tier and boast the second-best pass success rate in part due to Inacio’s willingness to get the ball on the deck and play out from the back.

What does stand out about Inacio is that he is a left-footed centre-back who operates on his favoured left side for Sporting CP.

While this would mean Van Dijk switching sides at the back, the right-footed Dutchman moving across the backline would enable greater balance at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

Benfica’s Antonio Silva may be the Portuguese centre-back scouts are watching, but Inacio is another who has shown he is ready to make the next step in his career.

Arthur Theate – Rennes

Arthur Theate became the most expensive Belgian defender ever in 2022, usurping ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star Thomas Vermaelen with a £17.2m move to Rennes.

Liverpool were linked with a move for the centre-back in the summer and while a transfer failed to materialise, he is one the Reds could make a move for in the New Year.

Like Wolfsburg, Rennes are languishing at the wrong end of the table and boast one of the worst defensive records in the division.

However, there is a good reason Theate was a rumoured target for the Reds earlier in the year. Like Inacio, Theate also prefers to operate on the left side of the defence, so Liverpool would have the added balance at the back, and it’s feasible to suggest the latter would prove a cost effective option.

The Belgium international is comfortable in possession having returned the 11th best pass success rate (91.2%) in the division, while 66 passes per game is the 10th best in France’s top tier.

Piero Hincapie – Bayer Leverkusen

Last season, Piero Hincapie was a key player for Bayer Leverkusen. As Xabi Alonso‘s side have impressed in domestic and continental competition, however, the 21-year-old has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot for the unbeaten German side. Indeed, Hincapie has made just two league starts in 2023/24.

Whereas previously, Hincapie had a substantial asking price, Bayer Leverkusen’s stance on the Ecuador international may have softened, particularly with Alonso set on his first choice defence in his favoured three-man defensive setup.

Hincapie is a player who needs regular game time to maintain his development. A move to Liverpool would certainly benefit the youngster especially if he is given the chance to learn off Van Dijk.

Liverpool could exploit their healthy working relationship with club legend Alonso, who spent five successful years at Anfield.

Lucas Beraldo – Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo endured a sub-par season and while a Copa Sudamericana place was secured, an 11th-placed finish was hardly ideal for the Brazilian side.

Youngster Lucas Beraldo was a regular feature in the Sao Paulo backline and was key for the Brasileirao outfit, particularly in possession.

Sao Paulo finished second for both possession (59.8%) and pass success rate (86.2%) in Brazil’s top tier this term and 20-year-old Beraldo was instrumental in helping to dominate opponents. Indeed, only midfielder Andre (79.9) averaged more passes per game than Beraldo (70.3) while an 88.7% success rate was also commendable.

Another left-footed centre-back, he could prove a bargain buy of a defender were Liverpool to firm up their rumoured interest in the youngster.