Liverpool have struggled this season with constant injuries to regular first-team starters. The Anfield side had a headache when three out of their four centre backs were out with respective injury problems earlier in the campaign.
Jurgen Klopp was forced to play midfielder Fabinho at the centre of defence on several occasions. These injuries to the Liverpool centre backs have really caused the club a lot of problems this season.
With the transfer market coming up in the summer, Klopp must be looking at centre backs around Europe to add to his squad. Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake should surely be on Klopp’s list of targets.
The former Chelsea star has performed brilliantly for the Cherries throughout this campaign. He has also been Eddie Howe’s standout performer since first joining the club on an initial loan deal.
The Dutchman is arguably one of the best central defenders outside the top six clubs in the Premier League.
He is a solid centre half, very strong in the air. The 24-year-old is quick and agile, making it very hard for players to move past him. He also has tremendous acceleration which helps him catch even the fastest attackers in the Premier League.
The Bournemouth star is another Chelsea reject who is shining like a gem after leaving the London club. At the Vitality, Eddie Howe has played a massive role in the young centre back’s development.
Ake possesses immense amounts of concentration in his game. He is always alert, quick in spotting any threat to the defence, and takes actions against it. The young centre back has been Howe’s leader in defence.
He helps the team maintain its shape under high-pressure situations because he is as cool as his fellow Holland teammate, Virgil van Dijk at the back. The Bournemouth man specialises in blocking shots from the opposition attackers, all while being strong in the tackle. Most importantly, he is not afraid to face any attacker in the top flight.
The 24-year-old could partner his international teammate van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool’s defence, linking up with his former Chelsea teammate, Mohamed Salah too.
Ake can play the role of a fifth centre back perfectly for Klopp, as he can add quality to the Liverpool side. His addition to Liverpool will also help Klopp improve the squad depth of the team.
The Holland international can assist Liverpool in preventing an injury crisis at the back in the future. He can provide healthy competition for the likes of Joe Gomez, Joel Matip or Dejan Lovren for the second centre-back place in the Liverpool team.
A move to Liverpool could be perfect for Ake. He could follow Mohamed Salah’s footsteps in making Chelsea regret selling him. Playing alongside van Dijk could be the catalyst to take his game to the next level.
It would be a golden opportunity for the 24-year-old to work with Klopp who is so good at developing young talents. Anfield may be the perfect next step for Ake on his rise to the top.
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