With Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk approaching veteran status, Liverpool is waiting for a generational change in the final line. This summer they pursued a left-handed center back, but as a result they were unable to acquire anyone, completing only a renewal of their midfielders.
Along with Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, the team is continuously searching for talent to support Liverpool’s back line in the mid- to long-term. With the recent emergence of 20-year-old defender Jarell Quansah, the team would like to secure a promising left-handed center back as soon as possible to familiarize himself with the team.
According to 90min, Liverpool has been watching the development of Brazilian U-20 defender Lucas Beraldo, who is a member of Sao Paulo, and has sent a scouting team there multiple times over the past few months.
Wolverhampton Wanderers were also in the hunt this summer, but Sao Paulo never shook their heads at the offer from the Premier League club. Other strong European clubs such as Bayern Munich, Olympique Lyon, and AS Monaco are also believed to be interested.
The 19-year-old center back, who is under contract with the Brazilian club until 2026, started gradually last season, and this season he grabbed a regular spot, starting 14 games in the Campionato Brasileiro Serie A.
As is typical of South American players, his skill with his feet is not unlike that of a defender. He is calm and composed when pressed, and in defense, his positioning is appropriate for a teenager to contain the opposition’s attacks. He has quickly become one of the most promising players in Brazil.
This is only the scouting stage. As we are looking at promising players from all over the world, this report does not directly lead to the acquisition of a player.
Players who have not played in England or Europe and have not been called up to the Brazilian national team are considered to be one of the younger players.
In that case, it would seem that Liverpool would have to acquire other players who can play immediately.
What will Liverpool’s plan for the final line be?