Why Liverpool would be wise to sign Mathieu Goncalves
With the January transfer window nearing closer, Liverpool must act swiftly as far as their business is concerned. Jürgen Klopp has enjoyed great success in 2019 but he is undeniably stretched thin in key areas.
As per French newspaper L’Equipe (h/t Daily Mail), Liverpool are eyeing up a bid for 18-year-old left-back Mathieu Goncalves in January as they look to add defensive strength.
Goncalves came through the Toulouse academy and made his senior debut in a 4-0 Ligue 1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain back in August. The 18-year-old has made five appearances for the Ligue 1 club in a breakthrough 2019/20 season.
Andy Robertson has been Liverpool’s only senior left-back since Alberto Moreno’s departure to Villarreal in July. Midfielder James Milner recently filled in for him in the 2-0 win over Watford.
If there is one area of Jurgen Klopp’s squad where the Reds are a little short of quality, it’s on the left-hand side of the defence. Moreno returned to Spain last summer and with the European champions failing to bring in a replacement, Milner has once again been tasked with adapting to an unfamiliar role whenever Robertson needs rest.
A Paris-born defender of Portuguese descent, Goncalves has featured four times in the French top flight for a Toulouse side, who already appear to be slipping rapidly towards relegation. Issa Diop, Moussa Sissoko, Etienne Capoue, Alban Lafont and Barcelona centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo all rose through the ranks at Toulouse and Goncalves looks like the next off the production line.
Liverpool look comparatively impotent whenever forced to start without Andy Robertson or Trent Alexander-Arnold. The pair has become vital to our attacking exploits and when they are out of the side, the Reds struggle to adapt.
The Frenchman currently has just 18 months left on his deal and with Toulouse struggling in the Ligue 1 and facing relegation, a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs would certainly be appealing enough.
Verdict
At the moment, Liverpool don’t have any dedicated cover at full-back. Adding depth would be a massive step forward and signing Goncalves would be a good move by Liverpool.
