With Joel Matip leaving Anfield at the end of his contract, and defensive leader Virgil van Dijk approaching veteran status, it is uncertain whether he will sign a contract extension, which is due to expire in June 2025, and a generational change in the final line is inevitable.
The search for a centre-back, which has been ongoing since last year, will get into full swing this summer. In order to add a new element to the centre-backs, who are only right-handed, the club is keen on defenders who are left-footed, and various players have emerged who are not only good defenders but also feed and run well.
According to El Futbolero, Liverpool are eyeing Eintracht Frankfurt defender William Pacho and Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié amongst a number of candidates and are likely to present offers for one or both players.
Both defenders have been selected for the Ecuador national team and both have developed a reputation in the Bundesliga. The paper also reports that £51 million would be required to acquire the former and £42.5 million for the latter.
To acquire both players, a transfer fee in excess of £90 million would have to be paid, and it is unlikely that Liverpool would move for the double. Recent reports also give the impression that the Frankfurt defender is a more realistic target.
So which defender will Liverpool be looking to whitewash…?