Liverpool: Dutch star linked; £18m bid made for Argentine; Klopp discusses transfers

By John Arkless

Football is a game that moves on quickly. It has only been two days since Liverpool lost to newly promoted Burnley, but they have the chance to put that quickly behind them with an EFL Cup second round fixture away to Championship side Burton Albion.

Just as they were against Burnley, Liverpool will be heavy favourites for their match with Burton, but the side still clearly needs a lot of work, and that has seen the club linked with a few players. The rumours have focused particularly on defence and in central midfield, where the Reds found themselves overrun by the Clarets.

The latest name to be linked with the club is Dutch World Cup cult hero Bruno Martins Indi, who has been deemed as surplus to requirements by his current club Porto.

Embed from Getty Images

A former student of Ronald Koeman at Feyenoord and Louis van Gaal in the national team, Martins Indi impressed on the left of a back three for the Netherlands in the 2014 World Cup, and can play as both a central defender and left-back.

The fact that Porto, who endured a disappointing season in the relatively weak league of Portugal is a slightly worrying part of the rumours linking the Reds to Martins Indi. As solid as he looked in the World Cup, he has often appeared clumsy and full of mistakes too, barely distinguishing him from the Reds current defence. His signing would not be a step up, but merely another player to cover at centre back.

If he were to play left-back, though, he could provide a better option. Although not naturally a full-back, he would perhaps be a better fit that midfielder James Milner and the erratic Alberto Moreno. Martins Indi may not have the gusto of the Spaniard, but crucially, he knows how to defend, which could be of great help to Liverpool over this season were he to arrive at the club. He wouldn’t be a spectacular signing, but it would improve the squad.

Another player who could improve the squad is Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes, with Football Italia reporting that Liverpool have made an £18 million bid for the Argentine.

Embed from Getty Images

Paredes is hot property after a successful loan spell in Italy, and his no nonsense approach to tackling and cutting out counter-attacks could be a crucial addition to the Liverpool side. Their weakness in this area without Emre Can was painfully exposed by Burnley, and the introduction of Paredes could add a bit more balance to a very top heavy midfield.

The Reds have been warned, however, that Roma value the Argentine highly and are not particularly interested in doing any business for their man. Liverpool will have to work hard to make this transfer happen.

Another factor which might make any transfers harder is the position of manager Jurgen Klopp, who has said he will not panic buy before deadline day as he attempts to round off his first summer transfer window at Anfield.

Embed from Getty Images

Klopp didn’t rule out a move, but has said the club must take a measured approach and not rush into any deals. He stopped short of confirming he was interested in a left-back, but implied that he would look. However, he also appeared to say that he was satisfied with Emre Can and Lucas Leiva as his defensive midfield options, making any move for Paredes look more unlikely.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Peter Ninhuys