Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool will be without Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez for their final Champions League group match against Qarabag at Anfield, leaving Virgil van Dijk as the only recognised senior centre-back available.
Konate remains on compassionate leave following the death of his father, while Gomez suffered a hip injury in Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth. Giovanni Leoni is also ruled out for the season after sustaining an ACL injury on his debut in September.
With defensive reinforcements a priority, Liverpool are expected to move for a centre-back in the summer after missing out on Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January.
Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet is under consideration, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the race to sign the 20-year-old is ongoing. Liverpool are said to be in active talks, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich also interested.
Romano said on his YouTube channel on Tuesday: “Chelsea remain absolutely in the conversation for this talented French defender (Jeremy Jacquet) because from Rennes, so it’s a big battle. Trust me, all these clubs are talking to the player’s camp and talking to Rennes to understand what they can do.
“Chelsea made progress two weeks ago on the player side. In terms of numbers for the contract, Chelsea are already in advanced conversations, but not yet with Rennes. Remember that Rennes want to keep the player in this January window and let him go in the summer.
“But again, let’s see what happens in these days because Liverpool are trying, because Chelsea are trying, and because Bayern are trying only for the summer. For Bayern, Jeremy is an opportunity because they want to replace Kim Min-jae, who could probably leave the club in the summer transfer window.
“So for Bayern, the opportunity to go for Jacquet is only for the summer. Chelsea and Liverpool would love to do the business now, but Rennes insist on selling the player eventually now for the summer, not for January. So Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern are all in the conversations with Rennes and with the player’s camp. So let’s see what’s going to happen there.”
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