There is some content among the Liverpool fans at the moment after knowing that Dutch centre-back Virgil Van Dijk will be added to their squad after being registered as a Liverpool player. But there are still some concerns about the Reds’ defense, especially in the left-back department. And in a surprising move, Liverpool are keen on recruiting another Dutch player from Manchester United to solve their issues and that player is none other than Daley Blind.
Having recently broken the bank for former Southampton defender Van Dijk, Liverpool is definitely showing the footballing world they are a force to reckon with. Splashing out £75m on Van Dijk who is now the most expensive defender, Jurgen Klopp is looking to fix the areas of concern on his side. But the left-hand side of his defense is still of grave concern.
Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno has already cost Liverpool two titles due to horrendous performances in the EFL Cup and Europa League Final two seasons ago and although he has shown great improvement this season. But there is always a sense of insecurity when he is playing on the left side of the defense.
Veteran midfielder James Milner has also been deployed in that left-back position and despite decent performances, he is not a natural and therefore it has been difficult for the England international to fit in that role as he is generally a midfield man. Liverpool also brought in Scottish full-back Andrew Robertson but has only recently been getting games due to the unavailability of Moreno, and the 23-year-old has stepped up well but Klopp is still uncertain about the youngster’s quality in the defensive third.
However it is too much of the surprise of Liverpool fans as Manchester United outcast Daley Blind is now on Klopp’s radar to cover that area’s problems. The Dutch defender has seemingly fallen out of favor with Red Devils’ manager Jose Mourinho and reportedly wants to play his football elsewhere.
Ashley Young and Luke Shaw have been the most recent preferences for the Portuguese boss while Blind has been restricted to only the bench. But Blind has been one of United’s long performers since his arrival from Dutch side Ajax in 2014 after a stellar World Cup for a fee of £13.8m.
Blind has gone on to make 87 appearances for the Manchester outfit and has scored four goals since his arrival. The 27-year-old can play in central defense and left-back and has also played in midfield which proves his versatility in top level football. He is a hard-worker who wants to give everything for his team, an attribute that fits Klopp’s bill.
However, a move from one of the fiercest rivals in the English top division is quite rare. Manchester United and Liverpool have not had a direct switch to a player since 53 years. But with just a year left under his contract at Old Trafford, United will want to sell him for a decent price, and that is currently valued at £19.8m. Blind has won the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup with United.
