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Watford defeat highlights Liverpool’s need to sign Diego Carlos this summer
Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge tonight looking to reach the quarter-final of the competition.
The Reds were beaten for the first time in 44 Premier League games on Saturday, losing 3-0 at Watford.
Forgetting tonight’s game for a moment, the weekend defeat did pose a serious question to Jurgen Klopp ahead of next season.
Ismaila Sarr caused chaos to the Liverpool defenders and it asks the question of whether the Reds have enough pace among their centre-backs.
The Reds have been linked with a summer move for Sevilla central defender Diego Carlos. On the evidence of Saturday’s defeat, he is exactly what Liverpool need alongside Virgil van Dijk.
The 26-year-old has a release clause of and one thing is would bring to Liverpool is electric pace.
Last week his former boss Fabiano Soares told exactly why the Reds should have the Brazilian on their summer shopping list.
“He’s a dynamic, intense and fast player. Football nowadays, for the slow player the market isn’t so good. Players who are fast, strong, competitive and who have quality, the coaches will always look at them.”
Given his valuation, he wouldn’t come cheap. Klopp has proved previously, however, that he isn’t afraid to pay big sums out if it’s to sign a player that his squad needs.
He did it with Van Dijk and also with Alisson Becker. Both players have improved Liverpool considerably and Carlos could do the same.
Pace
Whilst Joe Gomez has a bright future and Joel Matip has come up trumps in the past, Dejan Lovren could leave in the summer.
That would open up space in the squad for a centre-half to come in.
Carlos would complement Van Dijk nicely and has shown some serious quality at Sevilla this season.
he has a pass success ratio of 82%, wins three aerials each game and makes an average of five clearances per game too.
Carlos would be a brilliant signing for Liverpool and it could ensure more situations like Saturday don’t arise in the future.
Although the Reds have been dominant this season, Watford did highlight a flaw in Klopp’s team.
More managers could look to play that way against them in the future and adding Carlos would undoubtedly bolster Liverpool’s defensive ranks.