**Liverpool are reportedly plotting an unlikely but sensational deal to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite next summer and are scouting him regularly.**
Under Andoni Iraola, the Reds have been a lot more defensively sound than we’ve seen in years.
It’s early doors, and it might be just some good form, but it does seem as though Liverpool have turned a corner, particularly in their out-of-position structure compared to last season.
The arrival of Jeremy Jacquet has been transformational. Iraola’s tactical tweaks have made a massive difference, but in sport, you can never discount the value of simply having a very good player be the difference. He was named Man of the Match for his stalwart display against Fulham in the 1-0 win before the international break, and 100% deserved it.
Suddenly, centre-back looks like it’s in safe hands in the van Dijk era, however, the number of centre-backs Liverpool have is still an issue.
Joe Gomez has returned to fitness, so let’s pray that is finally the end of his injuries, because at 29, he very badly needs a break.
Ronald Araujo, while a centre-back, is playing at right-back at the moment, but is making light work of it.
Beyond him, though, there does appear to be interest in Everton’s Branthwaite, according to Former Man Utd chief scout Mick Brown.
“_Liverpool are looking at left-sided centre-backs to come in and replace van Dijk,_” Brown told [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/liverpool/liverpool-working-on-move-to-sign-jarrad-branthwaite).
_“That has placed Jarrad Branthwaite on their radar, he’s somebody they are big admirers of, even if it might be a bit difficult for them to do a deal with Everton._
_“They’ve been watching him closely, he plays in the same city so it’s easy just to send a scout across to go and watch his games, so they’re working on doing their due dilligence._
_“Liverpool will already know all about him, that’s the work that goes on in the background, you find out about his character, his background, how he is in training._
_“It seems like Branthwaite ticks a lot of boxes, and when you’re talking about replacements for van Dijk, he is somebody who is going to be very high on that list._
_“Obviously, like I said, it might not be straightforward for them to do a deal with Everton, but if they are given any hint that he might be available, I’d expect them to try to make a move.”_