Liverpool make £30m move for defender to solve Trent Alexander-Arnold problem: report

Mark White
·2 min read
11
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaks with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool after their side's victory in the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on March 01, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaks with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool after their side's victory in the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on March 01, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
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Liverpool have made a £30 million move for a defender who could be a game-changer when it comes to the way Jurgen Klopp wants to play.

The Reds had a transitional season last term, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold moving into midfield from his usual full-back berth towards the end of the campaign. Having played there recently for England too, Klopp is now assessing how to reshape his side with new signings this summer.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have both arrived to revamp the midfield – but the most important signing for Alexander-Arnold could yet be around the corner.

Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool Unveil New Signing Dominik Szoboszlai KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Dominik Szoboszlai new signing for Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on July 02, 2023 in Kirkby, England.
Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool Unveil New Signing Dominik Szoboszlai KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Dominik Szoboszlai new signing for Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on July 02, 2023 in Kirkby, England.

Italian outlet Tuttosport has reported that Liverpool have bid for Torino centre-back Perr Schuurs, with the Merseysiders seeking serious defensive reinforcements ahead of next season.

The Reds have long held interest in the Dutch defender, offering him a trial as a 17-year-old, before being linked with him in 2020 following their centre-back crisis that season when Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for the season.

As a centre-back who can also play right-back, Schuurs is physical, calm on the ball but more importantly, has experience of covering both positions. This could be invaluable for Klopp's system, which has seen Alexander-Arnold drift out of the right-back slot to form a box midfield.

Ibrahima Konate has been tasked with looking after that area of the defence following Alexander-Arnold's movement into more promising positions but the Frenchman has struggled to cover the space adequately, finding himself stretched at times.

Perr Schuurs of Torino FC gestures during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Torino FC. AC Milan won 1-0 over Torino FC.
Perr Schuurs of Torino FC gestures during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Torino FC. AC Milan won 1-0 over Torino FC.

Liverpool could revert to a 3-2-4-1 to resemble Manchester City's shape or simply use Schuurs as the right-back in the system, with Alexander-Arnold moving into midfield permanently. The 23-year-old could just be used a rotational centre-back, too.

Schuurs is valued at €25m by Transfermarkt.

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool transfer news is ramping up ahead of a huge overhaul at Anfield this summer. 

Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich has been linked, while James Ward-Prowse is said to be on the shortlist. Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga is a target and Khephren Thuram of Nice is said to be close to joining – but Manuel Ugarte is one star who reportedly won't be moving to Merseyside. 

Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has told FFT that Liverpool can win the title in 2024.