As the January transfer window opens attention has already turned to whether or not The Reds will be actively looking to bolster the ranks ahead of a potentially huge second half of the campaign.
Sitting top of the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp’s side are set for FA Cup third-round action, a Carabao Cup semi-final and the Europa League knockout stages all in the coming weeks and months.
Despite what has been a strong start to 2023/24, there are still those who would like to see mid-season additions, particularly in the wake of injuries to Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip.
Central defensive reinforcements look to be high on the agenda amongst the fanbase, with the reliance on Virgil van Dijk never more clear as Joe Gomez’s versatility comes to the fore, issues remain over Ibrahima Konate’s availability and Jarell Quansah continues to learn the trade.
Dan spoke to Portuguese football expert Aaron Barton about heavily linked Liverpool target Goncalo Inacio to decipher whether the 22-year-old could be the answer at Anfield…
What Would it take for Liverpool to Sign Inacio?
Asked whether Inacio was worth the €60million release clause, Aaron said: “Yeah, there were rumours that there was a cut price or some sort of discount available on him – they were suitable shutdown by Ruben Amorin recently. He said basically ‘we’d love to keep hold of him but if someone pays that release clause and he wants to go then it is what it is.’
“It’s €60million, that’s around £52/53million, in this day and age especially, yeah. That’s easily a player who if he goes to another club and then sort of kicks on all of a sudden you’re looking at a £100million centre-half.
“It’s that risk, players where they are in the Portuguese league and they start to shine, that value just goes up and up and Liverpool have done well in the last few years in terms of players that they’ve purchased.
“You can see just how quickly transfer values go up. You’ve got someone there in Inacio with a release clause, no messing about with negotiations, you can meet it and the player is yours. I think it’s a no-brainer that someone triggers it whether that be Liverpool or someone else.”
‘Gonçalo Inácio would be ready for Liverpool transfer!’ – Portuguese Expert on Reds Target
Redmen Reacts
Inácio – hailed as ‘technically gifted’ by Antonio Mango – the 5-cap Portugal star could be the ideal man to strengthen the ranks with his ability to play in both a back four and as part of a three-man centre-back trio.
Left-footed and clearly with bags of ability on the ball, the Sporting ace can be the long-term solution to Klopp’s left-sided defensive dilemma whilst also providing cover for the remainder of this season.
As mentioned by Aaron, the release clause and likelihood of interest from rivals such as Arsenal, Liverpool should remain highly attentive to the possibility of landing Inacio this month.
