OPINION
For most of this summer, it has looked as if Liverpool weren’t too bothered with the transfer market.
To some extent that is still true, although Sunday’s announcement that the Reds have snapped up Harvey Elliot from Fulham is a small consolation for fans desperate to see some fresh faces arrive at Anfield for the new season.
Sometimes, however, obstacles can appear out of nowhere, and alter plans for managers and players alike.
Take Nathaniel Clyne’s recent cruciate ligament injury as an example.
The chances are that the defender will be sidelined for some time after picking up the complaint in preseason, as confirmed by the Reds themselves.
That leaves Jurgen Klopp with just Trent Alexander-Arnold as a recognised right-back going into the new season, although Joe Gomez and James Milner are capable of filling in if required.
In an ideal world, however, the Reds would surely look to bring in a new right-back, even just on a short term deal until Clyne regains his fitness.
And there are few candidates as illustrious as Brazilian talisman Dani Alves.
The 36-year-old left PSG this summer after two years in France, and according to journalist and compatriot Julio Gomes Filho would be perfect for the Reds.
Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, he said: “He [Alves] could play for Liverpool or City or United.
“He could play only the big matches and he would be such a positive influence inside the dressing room because he’s a winner. He’s a winner.
“It’s hard to find players with a winner mentality and also very good football at their feet. There are a lot of winning players that are not that good, there are a lot of great players that don’t have the right mentality.
“And I think Dani Alves fits perfectly for a season or two. If I were Juventus, for example, I would try to get him back.”
Even in his mid-30s, Alves is still a superlative talent.
Last season he made an average of two tackles per match, as well as 1.3 key passes and registering a pass completion rate of 86.2% [Whoscored].
Most importantly though, he has that winning mentality that Filho refers to.
Alves has won pretty much everything as a player, including three Champions League titles.
Having somebody like that in the dressing room when chasing down a Premier League title, for instance, would surely be invaluable.
