Jurgen Klopp ‘rates’ Kalidou Koulibaly as a player, according to The Mirror‘s David Maddock, suggesting a January move to Liverpool could potentially be on the cards.
The Reds are facing an unprecedented injury crisis at the moment, with centre-back duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both ruled out for many months, and possibly the rest of the season. It means the need for a new signing in January is urgent, allowing Klopp to have more options during the second half of the campaign.
Maddock claims Klopp is a big admirer of Koulibaly, also stating the close relationship the 29-year-old has with Sadio Mane because of their Senegalese roots.
Liverpool have been linked with the Napoli star in the past, but nothing has come to fruition yet for a player hailed as “extraordinary” by former team-mate and one-time Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Read Liverpool Verdict
Koulibaly is a fantastic player – one of the best centre-backs in the world, in fact – but I think the Reds should look at more long-term options.
The Senegalese turns 30 next year, so spending huge money on him could be a risk, considering he wouldn’t necessarily represent a long-term acquisition.
Someone like Dayot Upamecano or Ozan Kabak would be younger, more suitable alternatives in that respect, so it makes sense for Liverpool to go down that path instead.
