Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen this summer, seeing him as an option alongside Eagles teammate Marc Guehi.
The centre of the Reds’ defence could be a point of focus between now and the end of the transfer window, with Arne Slot arguably light in that area.
Virgil van Dijk remains possibly the best central defender in world football and should continue to be a huge player for Liverpool for several years, but Ibrahima Konate’s injuries make it hard to rely on him staying fit throughout a whole season.
Jarell Quansah enjoyed a superb breakthrough campaign in 2023/24, looking like a big prospect for the future, but he is still a work in progress. Joe Gomez could also be used more as a centre-back by Slot than Jurgen Klopp did, but that remains to be seen.
According to a new report from Caught Offside, Liverpool see Andersen as a summer target alongside his Palace colleague Guehi, with Tottenham and Newcastle United also in the mix to snap him up.
The update reminds Reds supporters that the Dane “will no doubt be remembered amongst Liverpool fans for his altercation with Darwin Nunez in the 2022/23 campaign”, when he was headbutted by the Uruguayan, leading to him being sent-off at Anfield.
Our thoughts on Liverpool signing Andersen this summer…
Andersen has been a highly impressive performer for Palace for a sustained period now, proving to be a dominant figure who possesses quality on the ball, not to mention being hailed as “absolutely fantastic” by Shay Given.
Last season, for example, he averaged 2.4 aerial duel wins per game in the Premier League, starting every match in the competition, while his tally of 5.3 clearances per match was higher than any other Liverpool player.
At 28, Andersen is five years older than Guehi, though, and is not as mobile, so the latter would represent the more sensible option for the Reds, even though Palace will demand huge money for his signature.
In truth, it is easy to see Guehi joining Newcastle instead, and Andersen not joining either, with Slot potentially even happy with the options at his disposal, depending on how he decides to use Gomez.
