After revamping their midfield last summer, Liverpool pursued a left-handed center back at the same time. Although they ultimately failed to acquire a defender, their urgency is growing.
The 32-year-old defender Joel Matip, whose current contract expires at the end of the season, is out for an extended period of time, and the possibility of him leaving without leaving the club cannot be ruled out.
Defensive leader Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch national team defender, will turn 33 next year, and a center back for the next generation is essential.
Fabrizio Romano, an expert on the transfer market, posted a surprise: Liverpool is looking at Japanese national team defender Ko Itakura.
“Ko Itakura, one to watch in 2024 as top clubs are monitoring Japanese CB.”
“Understand Liverpool have sent their scouts multiple times to follow Itakura’s performances.”
“Tottenham also monitored him as Ange Postecoglou wanted Ko at Celtic.”
“Release clause NOT valid in January.”
🇯🇵 Ko Itakura, one to watch in 2024 as top clubs are monitoring Japanese CB.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 1, 2024
Understand Liverpool have sent their scouts multiple times to follow Itakura’s performances.
Tottenham also monitored him as Ange Postecoglou wanted Ko at Celtic.
Release clause NOT valid in January. pic.twitter.com/E6Ce08dAd4
Tottenham Hotspur, also competing in the Premier League, has been watching the development of the Japanese defender, who plays for Borussia Monchengladbach, and team manager Ange Postecoglou has shown interest in him since his days at Celtic.
This season, he was plagued by an ankle injury that limited him to only eight appearances. However, until then, he had been in the starting lineup for every game and has been the mainstay of the final lineup. For the Japanese national team, he has also combined well with Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu to contain the opposition’s attacks.
Now, at the age of 27, it is time for him to step up his game. Although he has been a member of Manchester City, he has never played a game for the team, and he may be on his way to England via Holland or Germany.