Why Liverpool signing Kalidou Koulibaly would be a fantastic move
According to Italian journalist Fabio Santini (h/t Evening Standard), Liverpool are prepared to bid for Kalidou Koulibaly. While several other clubs such as both Manchester clubs are after him, Liverpool have amped up their efforts. This is a direct reaction to Van Dijk’s ACL injury which could rule him out for the entire season.
Profile
Kalidou Koulibaly is a 29-year-old centre-back who plays for Serie A side Napoli. He started his youth career at Sporting Reunis in 1999 and signed his first professional contract with FC Metz in 2010. Before that, he spent quite some time at their academy and progressed through the youth ranks.
After 42 appearances for FC Metz, he joined KRC Genk in 2012. Koulibaly was still an unknown quantity at that point. It was only after he moved to Napoli that his performances came to light and everyone started taking note.
The towering centre-back has made a staggering 249 appearances for the club so far, with 10 goals and 5 assists (source – Transfermarkt). During his time at Napoli, he has become one of the best centre-backs in the world.
Despite playing for France in the youth levels, Koulibaly chose to play for Senegal at senior level. He is the captain of the national team and has made 33 appearances so far, scoring once.
Koulibaly would be a great signing for Liverpool
How do you find a replacement for your best defender when he is out on a long-term injury? You sign another defender who is in the same bracket. Similar in so many ways, Koulibaly is a defensive giant.
Not many forwards have gotten the better of him in recent seasons. While Napoli may not have exactly had similar fortunes as Liverpool, those are due to other factors. One of Napoli’s best defenders in a long time, it is hard not to see why Liverpool shouldn’t go all out for him, especially when you consider that Joe Gomez and Joel Matip aren’t quite at the levels of those two.
Liverpool are prepared to offer the asking price of Napoli according to the report and rightly so. They can’t afford any sort of slip up, especially this season when they are the defending Premier League champions.
Read More
- Why Liverpool were absolutely right in sanctioning the exit of Herbie Kane
- Why Liverpool signing Dayot Upamecano would be a top-class move
Koulibaly would be a great signing as he comes pretty close to what Van Dijk offers the club. Surely a January move would be fantastic.
