Liverpool interest in Koulibaly’s centre-back partner confirmed by Napoli

Liverpool are potentially lining up a move for Kalidou Koulibaly’s Napoli team-mate Nikola Maksimovic as an alternative to their long-term defensive target.

Koulibaly has previously been linked with a move away from the Serie A club, with the Reds among a number of teams keen on his signature.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are in the midst of an injury crisis, with first choice centre back pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both ruled out with long-term injuries.

The Liverpool boss has resorted to fielding a patched-up defence on a number of occasions this season with midfielder Fabinho frequently asked to deputise at the back.

Klopp has been reported to be looking to bring some cover during the January window as the reigning Premier League champions look to retain their title this season.

The Serbian international may not provide a long-term solution, but could provide a necessary quick fix for Klopp’s side, especially if Koulibaly proves difficult to sign.

Having joined the club in 2016 from Torino, Maksimovic hasn't always been first choice for the Neapolitans but an able understudy to the likes of Koulibaly when called upon.

Senegal international Koulibaly is said to be on the Reds shortlist, however, Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted the player will not be leaving for anything less than £100 million.

According to Talksport presenter Jim White, De Laurentiis believes Liverpool are set to turn their attention to 29-year-old Maksimovic.

“There isn’t a window in the last two, three or four that we don’t see big mentions of the Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly,” said White.

“This morning, I spoke to Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli owner, and said what about your player, are there bids in for him?

“He laughed it off saying he’s not for sale. He’s absolutely not for sale unless one of the big clubs in England come up with £100million.

“He then says to me ‘I thought you were going to refer to our defender Nikola Maksimovic, the Serbian who is 29 years of age, and Liverpool’s previous interest in him’.

“So I said ‘are Liverpool still interested in your defender?’ He interrupted me to say of course with injury problems to Gomez and Van Dijk but no they haven’t heard from them of late.

“But it seems on this occasion Koulibaly is going nowhere. He stays and that was as recent as this morning. Anyone going in with anything other than £100million for Koulibaly can forget it.”

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