Liverpool chief Michael Edwards willing to consider permanent defender transfer deal

Liverpool: Klopp admits clubs want ‘crazy money’ for defender

Liverpool chief Michael Edwards is willing to sign a defender on transfer deadline day – but only if it suits the club. The Reds go into the day hoping to add at centre-back with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho all currently crocked. And several names have been linked with a move to Merseyside so far.

Liverpool have done well to cope without the likes of Van Dijk and Gomez, who have missed the majority of the campaign so far.

But they know they need more if they’re to retain the Premier League title they won so comfortably last term.

Ahead of deadline day, several names have been linked with a move to Anfield.

Shkodran Mustafi is one of them, with the Arsenal star’s Premier League experience and affordability making him an attractive target.

West Ham duo Issa Diop and Winston Reid are also being linked.

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And so too is Wolves’ Romain Saiss, despite Nuno Espirito Santo’s reluctance to lose yet another prized asset for the Reds.

The Athletic say a loan is the most likely outcome for Liverpool, with the club determined not to panic buy late in the day.

But it’s claimed Edwards and the rest of the Reds hierarchy are also open to signing a defender permanently, but only if they feel they can make a difference in the long run.

Who they end up with remains to be seen.

But it appears Liverpool are ready to answer Jurgen Klopp’s rallying cry, with the German sounding desperate when quizzed on the situation last week.

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“If you have a centre-half available at a reasonable price, and one with the quality we need, then send me a message,” he said.

He also added: “Look, I don’t know. But we will try.

“It is funny when you all think ‘oh Liverpool will be just fine with the situation and they don’t care or try’. We try but there is nothing to say until something happens.

“We will see. The situation yesterday didn’t make it easier but we still try to do the right things. If that’s possible, we will do it. If not, we won’t.

“My thoughts didn’t change but my words might have. That’s probably my English. Same situation as before. We work always on this.

“We thought [about making signings] and we think the whole time but it’s about doing the right thing. We need to find the right player. It’s incredible what’s happening in the defensive line.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool star Peter Crouch thinks Dayot Upamecano would be a perfect fit for the Reds – despite him being likely to stay in Germany until the summer.

“Everyone in football can see that they need a centre-half. You’d think they would bring someone in before the deadline,” he told talkSPORT.

“But we can’t criticise Liverpool’s transfer policy. It’s been unbelievable over the past couple of years, the players they’ve brought in and have improved.

“If it’s not the correct centre-half they won’t bring him in and the policy has gone well so far.

“There are so many top centre-halves out there. Upamecano is a top centre-half, I think he’s one of the best in Europe. He’s the best one out there if they can possibly get him.”

Liverpool have had a hit and miss record with deadline day signings over the years.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has helped the club win the Premier League and Champions League titles since moving from Arsenal in 2017.

But Andy Carroll was a big Anfield disappointment after moving from Newcastle back in January 2011.

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