Why Liverpool are READY to agree mega transfer for Nico Schlotterbeck

The Bundesliga centre-back is the perfect target for Liverpool and this is why the Reds want to sign him.

Recent reports have claimed Richard Hughes is considering making a move to sign Nico Schlotterbeck.

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At this moment in time, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of Liverpool's defence.

Ibrahima Konate's contract will have just one year left by the time the summer arrives and PSG and Real Madrid both want him.

Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold's current deals expire at the end of the season, meaning they will be free to leave the club unless they come to an agreement for a new deal.

This is before we start to mention Andy Robertson's dip in form and the fact that Kostas Tsimikas is not a viable long-term option at left-back.

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Liverpool need to start building for the future of their backline and Schlotterbeck is a perfect target.

The reason why Liverpool are ready to agree a mega deal for Schlotterbeck

The Borussia Dortmund defender won't come cheap but he's the right profile for Liverpool. He only turned 25 years old in December and he's in the prime of his career.

A German international with a wealth of experience Schlotterbeck can play as a left-sided defender and he'd be a perfect long-term replacement for Van Dijk.

The numbers back that up as well.

Among centre-backs in the Bundesliga, Schlotterbeck ranks in the top 10 for possession-adjusted interceptions (7.03 per 90) and defensive duels won (72.63%).

He reads the game really well and thrives in one vs one situations with an great ability to use his speed and fast reaction times to thwart the opposition.

In addition to that, he's also strong in the air. He ranks in the top five among centre-backs for aerial duel success rate (65.5%).

Defensively, he's a monster and he is comfortable in possession, too. No centre-back has averaged more passes into the final third (13.11 per 90) and progressive passes (14.22 per 90) than Schlotterbeck this season.

That combination of ball playing skills and defensive prowess makes him the perfect candidate for Liverpool.

He's the kind of player that will be high up on Hughes' shortlist. The kind of player Hughes would be prepared to agree a mega transfer deal for - in the same way Edwards was prepared to spend big on Van Dijk, because he is simply a generational talent.

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Defensive reinforcements won't come better than Schlotterbeck.

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