OPINION
Liverpool must sign Alex Telles ahead of Chelsea as the Brazilian left-back’s arrival would see the club able to smoothly replace Alberto Moreno in their squad.
Portuguese publication A Bola claimed on Sunday that FC Porto would be powerless to keep Telles if the Reds or the Blues opted to trigger the £34.9million release clause in the player’s contract in order to sign him.
It is believed that Jurgen Klopp is a huge fan of Telles after watching him play for the Portuguese giants last season and the German manager should act on his interest.
Telles is a glorified assist machine proven by the fact he registered 20 assists in 45 appearances during his 2017/18 campaign, and these numbers prove he would be a revelation at Anfield if signed.
A deal for the 25-year-old Brazilian would also be relatively easy to get done as the Reds should have no qualms about shelling out £34.9million for his services.
The left-back, who due to his crossing ability can also dazzle as a left-sided midfielder, would be fantastic competition for Andy Robertson but also allow the club to ditch Moreno.
The current Spanish Reds defender, whose current deal sees him rake in £40,000-a-week (Source: Total Sportek), is deadwood when it comes to being able to really keep Robertson on his toes in regards to his first-team status.
Moreno may have impressed in a handful of his 27 outings in his 2017/18 campaign but after proving himself to be unreliable throughout his time at Anfield, he has no chance of re-establishing himself in the first-team.
When you consider his contract expires in 2019 and that this window could be last time for the Reds to sell him for a respectable a fee, then it makes sense to bin him now.
However Klopp will only be able to sanction his exit if the right replacement is found and Telles is not only a decent replacement he is a noticeable upgrade as well.
Therefore the Reds must move to sign the Brazilian assist machine for £34.9million in order to bin Moreno who has become deadwood at the club since the emergence of Robertson.
