Liverpool look unlikely to complete the signing of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie this summer, according to a new update from journalist Christian Falk.
The Reds have been in need of a new central defender throughout the summer transfer window, with their options in that area looking limited.
In Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, Liverpool have two footballers who look past their best, while Ibrahima Konate is an injury-prone figure, as highlighted by his current absence.
Even Virgil van Dijk is showing signs of creaking a little, at 32 years of age, although the hope is that he will remain a huge player for a number of years to come.
One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield this summer is Hincapie, but speaking to Caught Offside [via Empire of the Kop], Falk explained that he looks set to remain at Leverkusen:
“Leverkusen have similar problems to what Liverpool have had in the past with Edmond Tapsoba in that they need Hincapie for when the Burkinabé links up with Burkino Faso for the AFCON later in winter. So they won’t let him go.”
Our thoughts on Liverpool missing out on Hincapie…
It looks as though Liverpool are going to fail to add a centre-back to their squad – specifically a left-sided one who can also fill in at left-back – which is hugely disappointing.
An injury to Van Dijk would leave them looking very precarious in that area of the pitch, especially as Konate, Matip and Gomez all have question marks against them fitness-wise.
Hincapie could have been a perfect addition for Jurgen Klopp, with the 21-year-old looking like a big talent with a bright future, averaging 2.3 tackles per game in the Bundesliga this season, not to mention already winning 27 caps for Ecuador.
Whether this failure to sign a central defender ends up coming back to haunt Liverpool remains to be seen, but they cannot afford the same bad luck they experienced back in 2020/21 when Van Dijk suffered cruciate ligament damage, and Matip and Gomez also missed large spells, leading to Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams being paired together.
A repeat of that could lead could a huge backlash from the supporters, who have been craving another defender all summer long, and for good reason.
