Liverpool have been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur and England World Cup star Djed Spence this summer
Andoni Iraola has confirmed Liverpool are looking to strengthen at right-back, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence the latest name linked with a move to Anfield.
Liverpool have lacked a first-choice right-back since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure. Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai filled the role for much of last season, but the Hungarian is needed in midfield rather than defence.
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Jeremie Frimpong is not a natural right-back and is better suited to a wing-back role, while Conor Bradley remains out with a serious injury. Iraola confirmed in a press conference in Chicago that Bradley is still months away from returning to fitness.
Asked about potential transfers, Iraola said: “There are other situations we have to analyse what the market gives you. What’s the cost. How we also see the players we have. We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust but still not the ideal situation so it will depend a little bit on a lot of things.”
Pressed specifically on whether Liverpool are looking to sign a right-back, Iraola said: “So with the centre-back and the right-back situations in terms of defensive depth we are I think really thing right now, and it is a solution we are trying to find, yes.”
Spence has emerged as one of the names linked with a move to Anfield, but journalist Lewis Steele has stressed there is no evidence Liverpool are actively pursuing the England international.
Speaking on Anfield Index’s Media Matters with host Dave Davis, Steele said his view of Spence has shifted following the player’s performances at the World Cup.
“If you’d asked me this six weeks ago, I probably would have laughed you out of town because I didn’t really rate Djed Spence too highly at all,” Steele said. “He’s done brilliantly at the World Cup. I thought he was England’s best player last night.”
Steele was careful to separate admiration for Spence’s form from any suggestion that Liverpool are preparing a move, saying he has received no information indicating talks are underway between the clubs.
He pointed to Spence’s ability to play on either side of defence as a quality that would suit Liverpool’s needs, given the club’s lack of cover at both full-back positions.
“He can play on the right and the left, which is exactly what Liverpool need,” Steele said.
He added: “I’ve not heard anything really to suggest that Liverpool are going to make a move for him. It would make an awful lot of sense if they were to step it up, but I haven’t had anything to suggest they will just yet.”
Djed Spence
Tottenham Hotspur