Why this defensive COLOSSUS is perfect for Liverpool

Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool FC Transfers 2024-25
© IMAGO - Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool FC Transfers 2024-25

Liverpool have enjoyed a great start to life under Arne Slot, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Although the Reds were defensively very solid at the start of the season, they have opened up at the back in recent weeks and Richard Hughes may now be regretting passing on a former target.

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Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night was the latest in a series of somewhat disappointing results, with the Reds now dropping points in four of their last seven Premier League matches.

Slot’s side were able to rescue a point at the City Ground, but the biggest talking point from the match was the highly impressive performance of Forest’s defender Murillo, who had previously been linked with an Anfield move.

Murillo’s colossal display

In putting on a performance that earned him the Man of the Match award from TNT’s broadcast team, Murillo was showing Richard Hughes exactly what he has missed out on.

During the match the 22-year-old defender made an impressive 18 clearances, the most in a single match in the league since 2022.

The Brazilian was a huge part of why it took Liverpool, who have scored the most goals in the Premier League this season, 66 minutes to get their only goal of the night.

Murillo has started all but one league game for a Forest side that currently find themselves in the title race, conceding just 20 goals in their opening 21 games.

Liverpool’s Murillo links

The Reds’ interest in Murillo dates back to last season, when the Brazilian was reportedly available for £50 million.

That valuation has since risen to the £70 million mark however, and this was enough to put Richard Hughes off the defender, despite him looking like a good fit for the Reds backline.

Following Tuesday’s performance, £70 million looks like a fairly reasonable price, and the Reds may be tempted to go back in for the young star if he continues to perform to that level.

Murillo Nottingham Forest
© IMAGO - Murillo Nottingham Forest

The centre of Liverpool’s defence is an area that many feel could use with some reinforcements. Jarell Quansah has taken a notable downturn in form this season and both Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have continued to struggle with injury.

On top of all that, Virgil van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season and, although an extension is on the cards, Liverpool may need a replacement come the summer.

Murillo will have given Arne Slot, Richard Hughes and everyone at Liverpool a lot to think about on Tuesday night, and the Reds may now be regretting not bringing him in when they had the chance.

READ MORE: Richard Hughes set to make first Liverpool January addition

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