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Liverpool's centre-back position is one that arguably needs bolstering due to the fitness dilemma of several players in the department. On the flip side, there's a growing need to expand Arne Slot's options at centre-back as this could improve the defensive solidity.
MailSport via LFC Transfer Room on X are now reporting that Liverpool are keeping tabs on Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. The aforementioned report also indicated that the England international is valued at £70 ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Reds rumored interest in signing a centre-back this summer might be due to two major reasons among others. One of it could be connected to the contractual situation of Ibrahima Konate whose current expires in June 2026.
Liverpool could also be eager to sign Branthwaite due to the injury-prone nature of Joe Gomez, who has only registered 17 defensive appearances this term. Amid all other reasons are Virgil van Dijk's age (33) and the need to add some firepower in the backline.
As a young centre-back in a rigorous league such as the Premier League, Branthwaite has been decent for the Toffees. At age 22, the Englishman has also proven to be an efficient centre-back.
Thus, his outstanding development has seen him register 33 appearances for Everton this term. In 30 league games, he has registered 187 clearances, 24 interceptions, and has won 114/175 ground duels contested (via FootyStats).
If signed, his numbers have shown that he could develop to be a world-class defender in the Premier League. His statistics have similarly indicated that he could enhance both Liverpool's defensive options and resilience if he joins the Anfield giants.
However, Branthwaite is contracted at Everton till June 2027, indicating that his signing might not come cheap.
"It's about what's best for my career" - Harvey Elliott on his future at Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/ca4b0-17477565021607-1920.jpg 1920w">
Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Harvey Elliott has revealed that he could evaluate his future at Anfield this summer. However, he added that he's presently focused on ending the campaign with the Reds strongly.
In an interview after the Reds' 3-2 league loss to Brighton on May 19, Elliott said (via Anfield Watch on X):
"It's about what's best for my career. It's about reflecting and seeing what I can do. I'm here at the moment and I'm focusing on the final game."
Since gaining promotion to the Reds' first team squad in 2021, Elliott has been unable to cement his spot in the starting XI. This term, he has registered 27 outings for the Reds, scoring five goals and delivering three assists.
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Abel is an European football journalist who focuses primarily on analysis pieces and preview copies at Sportskeeda. A B.Sc degree holder in Economics, he has a previous work experience of 3 years – a year at Opera News Hub where he was promoted as a 'Verified Sports Writer,’ and over two years at Sportskeeda as a revenue-share writer, where his writing skills have ultimately led him to be integrated into the in-house team.
A Manchester United fan who grew up in a family of Red Devils supporters, he started his journey as an ardent football fan in his childhood. He used to spend hours watching the sport with his family and developed a knack for writing about the beautiful game over the years.
He is a huge admirer of Paul Pogba owing to the midfielder's ability to thread passes from anywhere on the pitch and his favorite manager is Jose Mourinho due to the Portuguese's tactical mind. He feels France's triumph in 2018 is his all-time favorite World Cup moment, and reckons Lamine Yamal and Endrick could replicate the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Abel always strives to verify information, especially statistics, before penning a word and offers constructive but not defamatory criticisms. Apart from Europe's top five leagues, he follows the Eredivisie and the Primeira Liga. He loves to spend his free time playing video games like EA FC and watching movies.
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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee