Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool face Burnley in the Premier League at Anfield and a Clarets defender could be someone who appeals.
It is an area of Liverpool's squad that is expected to get some attention over the next couple of seasons.
Given that Liverpool have signed only two centre-backs since 2021, that is not a surprise. Ibrahima Konate and Giovanni Leoni are the only additions in central defence that Liverpool have made.
In truth, the position is a state of flux. Konate sees his Reds contract expire at the end of the season. The France international is yet to commit his future and will depart on a free transfer at the end of June.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez's respective deals come to a conclusion in 2027. At that stage, captain Van Dijk will be aged 36, while Gomez has had well-documented injury issues. And while Liverpool have high hopes for Leoni, he is only 19 and is recovering from rupturing his ACL.
Marc Guehi has appeared to be the No.1 priority. It is not a surprise given how close the Reds were to signing the Crystal Palace captain last summer. But as soon as theplug was pulled on the £35 million deal, Liverpool would have known their chances of recruiting Guehi became markedly slimmer with his contract expiring in the summer. His free-agent status means that Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all on alert. But reports suggest that Manchester City are now ready to swoop this month.
Even if Liverpool do manage to successfully pursue Schlotterbeck, there's an argument they'll need two centre-halves, especially as Konate looks set to depart. Leoni's recovery might well creep into the 2026-27 season, while Gomez's fitness cannot be relied on. If Liverpool fail to recruit Guehi, alternatives will be required.
But the Reds may assess the Premier League and see who is available. And if Burnley suffer relegation, they could see some of their prized assets picked off. Indeed, that’s what Liverpool did when signing Andy Robertson from Hull City for £8 million in 2017.
Maxime Esteve may be one of Burnley’s players who comes in demand should they go down. Esteve could have departed the Clarets last summer despite their return to the top flight. En route to Burnley's Championship promotion, the Frenchman featured in all 46 league games. The Lancashire outfit conceded just 16 goals throughout.
"I mean, he was pivotal for us last year and we all see his quality and he'll be pivotal again for us this year," Parker told the Burnley Express. I'm delighted that we've managed to seal that contract and fair play to the club owners that we've managed to do that, because it's vitally important for us.
"Maxi's not just an incredible football player, he's an incredible person and showed real commitment by staying here as well, so I'm delighted to have him.”
Granted, it has not been a great season for Esteve so far, but that was to be expected in a Burnley side that was always going to be in a relegation battle. But he has remained a key player, making 19 appearances in all competitions and was handed the captain's armband in last weekend's 5-1 win over Millwall in the FA Cup third round.
Earlier this season, Esteve was described as a Rolls-Royce by Micah Richards. The former Manchester City defender said earlier this campaign: “He’s really comfortable on the ball, a left-footer, wins his aerial duals.
“It’s always a question can you do it in the Premier League and he just looks like a Rolls-Royce at the back. If you look at his awareness of where he is, his positioning as well, he’s only 23, he’s got a big future.”
An attribute that could intrigue Liverpool is that Esteve is that he is left-footed. That is a commodity difficult to find. The Reds do not have one currently in their ranks bar Mor Ndiaye, who was signed earlier this month. However, Ndiaye is still only 18 and lacks senior experience. He will start with the under-21s.
Granted, Liverpool may look for a more premium centre-back option in the summer such as Schlotterbeck. But depending on what happens with Konate and Gomez, the Reds might need add more depth. When Burnley visit Anfield on Saturday, Hughes might well keep a close eye on Esteve’s performance.
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