Blow for Liverpool as Pep Guardiola REQUESTS €41m star

Liverpool have a defensive crisis on their hands and it is essential that it is addressed this summer.

While the Reds have the second best defensive record in the Premier League this season - 27 goals in 30 matches - keeping 13 clean sheets, a huge problem is bubbling under the surface.

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Andy Robertson has been problematic at left-back, with his understudy Kostas Tsimikas committing similar errors.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely leave this season upon the expiration of his contract, with a move to Real Madrid all but guaranteed according to the latest reports.

And the club's assets at centre-back have each been linked with a move away; Virgil Van Dijk is set to be out of contract, Ibrahima Konate is tempted by interest from PSG, Jarrell Quansah is wanted by Newcastle and Joe Gomez is a player the club wouldn't think twice about selling after sitting on the sidelines for most of the season.

In order to remain competitive next season, Liverpool will need to negotiate a defensive rebuild for the ages, although they will face fierce competition for their transfer targets this summer.

Cambiaso's agent confirms Guardiola wanted him

At left-back, a number of different options have been considered, with Milos Kerkez, Antonee Robinson and Rayan Air-Nouri the main targets given their Premier League experience at Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolves respectively.

However, over in Italy, Andrea Cambiaso has been a name that has impressed at Juventus this season, delivering two goals and one assist alongside keeping nine clean sheets in Serie A.

The 25-year-old has been struggling to find a permanent home in his career so far, spending four different seasons on loan although he has finally been able to break into the starting XI at the old lady during this campaign.

But it seems incredibly likely that he will move away from Italy this summer, and he would be the perfect recruit for Arne Slot's team, although the Reds will have to beat a rival to secure his signature.

During the winter, Cambiaso was rumoured to move to Manchester City, although the transfer never came to fruition. However, a report from Tutto Sport has confirmed that Pep Guardiola desperately wanted to bring the player to Manchester.

The Italian's agent said: "Change and Manchester City? Juventus will explain what happened.

"I tell you that everything that went out in the newspapers in relation to the negotiation is all true.

"It's true that Guardiola wanted him."

As such, it is likely that City will be eager to get the player signed when the summer window opens, although Liverpool will not make it easy for them.

The Reds have established a rapport with Juventus after the Chiesa transfer and after City fumbled their opportunity to bring in the player in the winter, Liverpool could swoop in and snatch him away from them if the right strategy is developed for negotiations.

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Before then, a number of factors will be considered. Left-back is a position that needs due care and attention and the player's lack of Premier League experience could be decisive, although when you look at the market as a whole, there are few better talents out there than Cambiaso.

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