Why Liverpool signing Max Wober would be a good long-term move
According to Twitter claims from Eurosport journalist Dean Jones, Liverpool are weighing up a move for highly-rated Red Bull Salzburg defender Max Wober.
The Reds are understood to be in the market for a new centre-back this month, given the ongoing injury crisis at the heart of their defence. Braga’s David Carmo and Lille’s Sven Botman are the names under consideration at Anfield while Wober has also emerged as a potential target for the reigning Premier League champions.
Wober started his career with Rapid Wien in his native Austria before moving to Ajax in 2017. The centre-back made a positive impression in Holland, featuring 39 times in all competitions over one-and-a-half seasons.
He was then snapped up by Sevilla in January 2019 and made 8 appearances for the Spanish outfit before being sold to RB Salzburg in the following summer.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to life back in his homeland. Wober was instrumental as RB Salzburg won the Austrian Bundesliga and domestic cup double last season, whilst also catching the eye in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
The centre-back has continued to rack up consistent performances this term as well and once again made a name for himself in Salzburg’s Champions League campaign.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s need for a new centre-back would surely have heightened following the 1-0 defeat against Southampton on Monday. Jurgen Klopp went into the game with two makeshift central defenders in the form of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho but the duo endured an uncomfortable night against Danny Ings and Theo Walcott.
It goes without saying that the long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have reduced Liverpool to bare bones in the centre-back department. While Nathaniel Phillips and teenager Rhys Williams have shown a lot of potential, the Reds should ideally look for a proven centre-back to defend their Premier League title.
A hectic second half of the campaign that includes the FA Cup and the knockout rounds of the Champions League should further prompt the club hierarchy to seek immediate cover at the back this month. Putting things into perspective, Max Wober ticks plenty of boxes to come through the door at Anfield as a useful addition to Liverpool’s backline.
The 12-cap Austrian international already boasts a pretty impressive CV for a centre-back aged just 22. Wober has top-flight experience in the Netherlands, Austria and Spain under his belt while he has also proven his quality in the Champions League and Europa League at RB Salzburg.
His nature as a left-footed defender should make him an even more appealing target for the Reds, who currently have five specialist right-footed centre-backs in their senior ranks.
Verdict
Suffice to say, Liverpool taking a punt on Max Wober in January would add some much-needed depth and quality to their backline as Klopp bids to deal with a severe injury crisis. The 22-year-old’s experience in the Champions League would also come in handy, with the Reds preparing to face RB Leipzig in the last-16 of the competition in February.
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More importantly, though, Wober would also represent a long-term addition. The Austrian still has plenty of room for development at 22 and the Reds have every reason to be hopeful that he would flourish under Klopp’s tutelage.
