Liverpool must plan approach for £38m defender Klopp reportedly sees as natural Van Dijk partner – TBR View

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Fabrizio Romano has claimed that reported Liverpool target Dayot Upamecano “will be sold next summer”.

The 22-year-old RB Leipzig centre-back is one of the most sought-after young defenders in world football at present.

Last summer, Upamecano committed his future to the Bundesliga club until 2023, but he is still said to have multiple suitors after him.

According to The Mirror, Liverpool are eager to sign the Frenchman, as are Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp reportedly regards Upamecano as a natural partner for Virgil van Dijk when the Dutchman returns from his cruciate ligament injury.

The report also claimed that United might’ve been tempted to steal a march on Upamecano this month amid Liverpool’s purported lack of funds for January signings.

However, Romano played down such claims, claiming the race for the £38million star will take place this summer.

Romano is one of the most reliable transfer reporters in the industry, and his comments about Upamecano potentially being up for grabs in the summer should be music to Liverpool’s ears.

The Reds have really struggled at the back this year, with both Van Dijk and Joe Gomez sidelined long-term, while Joel Matip appears injury-prone and Fabinho has also picked up a few knocks.

Against Tottenham, Liverpool finished the game with Jordan Henderson and the inexperienced Nathaniel Phillips at the back.

Klopp has mostly gotten lucky, with Fabinho and Henderson both impressing out of position and Phillips and Rhys Williams doing well considering their youth and lack of experience.

But even though Van Dijk and Gomez are expected back before the end of the season, Klopp must ensure that such a crisis in central defence does not happen again.

Upamecano is a superb player, a tall, strong centre-back with explosive pace and superb reading of the game, and could play for any team in the world.

Having him in the Liverpool ranks means that he could vie with Gomez for the remaining centre-back slot.

Upamecano would improve competition and ultimately cause everyone in the back line to step their game up, much like Diogo Jota’s arrival did for the front line.