Liverpool head into 2024 in a strong position in the Premier League. If Arsenal fail to beat Fulham on Sunday, then they will enter the new year top of the pile.
The Reds managed to navigate a tricky December without defeat, progressing in both the Europa League and EFL Cup whilst keeping pace with their title rivals. There promises to be no let-up in January however, with potentially tough games against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Chelsea accompanying domestic cup clashes.
January is also the time football fans keep a keen eye on the transfer market. Jürgen Klopp has not been averse to making big signings in the winter window, with the likes of Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo and – of course – Virgil van Dijk all joining at this point in the year.
One player who has been linked with a move to Merseyside since the summer is Sporting CP’s Gonçalo Inácio. The Portuguese centre-back has a release clause of around £52 million and is amongst the most coveted defenders in Europe.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked experienced LFC reporter Neil Jones for his thoughts on the Inácio links.
What Would it take for Liverpool to Sign Inacio?
Neil said: “He’s someone who’s clearly being fattened up for a sale, isn’t he? I think he has been for a couple of years. He’s of an age where he’s becoming an established player.
“He’s obviously already an international and he’s from a club that traditionally, they sell – that’s their M.O.
“If he is the one that Liverpool think: ‘He’s our centre-back option’ and he’s available in January, then I think there is a possibility that they would look to do it. If he isn’t, I don’t think Liverpool all of a sudden will go, ‘God, we need a centre-back – get him.’
“Clearly Inácio will be on the move, I think, in 2024. Probably more likely in the summer. He’s a very good player and he’s someone – I think – who’s going to play in the Premier League before too long.
“If Konaté was to go down, or say Joe Gomez was to go down, all of a sudden it does put them in a position where it could undermine their challenge this season, and if there’s an opportunity, I think they would look to do something.
“Logistically, it’s difficult, because Van Dijk’s your left-sided centre-back, and Van Dijk’s your best player at this moment in time. Are you going to spend £50 million on someone who essentially plays in a position that is nailed down?
“He does tick a lot of boxes after watching him a couple of times, and he’s a really good player as well. Great on the ball quick, tall. There’s a lot that makes sense about it, but I’m not sure about January.”
Liverpool v Newcastle | The Match Preview Show
Redmen Reacts
With defensive injuries beginning to mount up, refusing to go into the market for a player such as the Portuguese international would represent a gamble by Jürgen Klopp. With Manchester City struggling to match last season’s domestic form and Arsenal and Aston Villa both dropping points in the last week, it would be extremely frustrating if the Reds’ title tilt is scuppered by an injury crisis similar to that of 2020/21. The emergence of Jarell Quansah has been a massive positive so far this season, but with Jöel Matip expected to play no further part and Ibou Konaté developing a reputation for missing games, it would be unfair to expect the young Warringtonian to play every week at the level required to win major trophies.
Whilst Inácio – hailed as ‘technically gifted’ by Antonio Mango – would not be expected to usurp Virgil van Dijk at left centre-back, there is clearly an opportunity for him to learn how to defend in a Jürgen Klopp side at left back, in a similar vein to that of Joško Gvardiol at Manchester City. Whilst it is unusual for a left-footer to play on the right side of a centre-back pairing, teams frequently line up with two right-footed centre-backs. Would moving across the back line by 15 yards be too much for a top talent to cope with? Whether Inácio arrives or not, Liverpool are only one or two more defensive injuries away from potential disaster. The club should make sure they are not left light, as they have done in the past.
