Liverpool are allergic to signing centre-backs.

This isn’t true, of course, but this summer, the Reds signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma for a £27m fee, and the 18-year-old became only the second permanent senior signing since Virgil van Dijk’s record-breaking transfer in January 2018, the first being Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig in 2021.

With Leoni out for the season after rupturing his ACL on his Reds debut, Arne Slot’s side have been left frustrated, with defensive issues forming the crux of Liverpool’s wider struggle this season.

Despite fierce speculation over Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo’s future – Liverpool have been in the mix but Manchester City look set to win his signature – the need for a new centre-half remains great.

Liverpool lining up winter Guehi alternative

Guehi, 25, is one of the best defenders in the Premier League. One of the best players. With Van Dijk turning 35 next summer and the error-riddled Konate soon out of contract, FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes are sure to contest for the Crystal Palace captain’s signature.

But Guehi is a free agent himself by the end of the term, so Liverpool may have to play the waiting game. Even so, the need for a new centre-back is great, and if the right opportunity emerges in the New Year, the Merseysiders must pounce.

Well, as it would happen, such a shot has materialised, with Bolavip confirming Liverpool’s interest in Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez ahead of the January window.

With Chelsea dropping out of the race, the suggestion is that the Reds are the frontrunners having been given a clear route to securing his signature, albeit with Serie A side Inter Milan also now in the mix.

Ordonez, 21, is considered one of the most talented up-and-coming centre-backs out there, and it would take a Belgian-record fee of €40m (converting to about £34m), to prise him away from Bruges.

Why Liverpool need to sign Ordonez

Make no mistake, adding a forward like Semenyo to Slot’s squad would mark an improvement for Liverpool. But, having phoned the Ghanaian’s reps in November, FSG have opted against matching the intensity of Manchester City.

Why is this? Semenyo has been one of the finest players in Europe this season, after all, with nine goals and three assists spread across 17 games in the Premier League.

Could it be because Liverpool have instead decided to prioritise a defender? There is a stronger case to be made for a centre-half, with Liverpool’s leaky backline causing so many problems this season, and Konate and Van Dijk depicting cracked shells of their usual selves.

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Ordonez is young, but he’s gained experience in the Champions League and as a top talent in the Belgian top flight, with talent scout Jacek Kulig even hailing him as “something remarkable”, with “an impressively complete profile” for such a young defender.

The Ecuador international, moreover, ranks among the top 9% of positional peers across divisions relevant to the Belgian Pro League for passes attempted and pass completion, the top 16% for progressive passes and the top 2% for carries per 90, as per FBref.

This natural ball-playing ability is something that would serve Liverpool well, providing Slot not just with the defensive depth he needs but a more important cog than a wide forward like Semenyo, who would be more expensive besides.

With Florian Wirtz coming into his own, Cody Gakpo an experienced member of the squad and Rio Ngumoha billed as one of the most exciting talents in the country, it might just be that an up-and-coming defender like Ordonez proves exactly the player the Anfield side need.

Related Mac Allister upgrade: Liverpool could sign "best CM prospect in the world"

Liverpool are weighing up a winter move for a new centre-midfielder.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

Cape Cobras consolidated their position at the top of the standings with a comfortable six-wicket win over Lions in Paarl.Lions, who were sent in to bat, were shot out for 133. Save Dominic Hendrick’s unbeaten 44, there was little of note in the innings that lasted 40.3 overs. Beuran Hendricks, the left-arm seamer, returned figures of 3 for 18 off eight overs, while Dane Paterson, Wayne Parnell and Dane Piedt had two scalps apiece.The Cobras stuttered at the start by losing Parnell and Omphile Ramela early, but Andrew Puttick ate into the target with an unbeaten 63. He was helped by Stiaan van Zyl, who made 35, as Cobras won with 16.5 overs to spare.An unbeaten century from opener Rudi Second, followed by three-wicket hauls from Mbulelo Budaza and Michael Erlank, sent Knights to a 74-run win over Warriors in East London.The bonus point win meant that Knights were dragged from the bottom of the table, with 13 points, five behind the Warriors in the final play-off spot with two rounds to play.Having elected to bat, Knights lost Reeza Hendricks and Michael Erlank early, but Second and Botha drove them forward with a brisk 100-run partnership. Botha was aggressive, striking 63 off 54 balls, including seven fours and a six. Second’s century,which contained only four fours, was a measured effort. Werner Coetsee strengthened Knights’ advantage with a cameo lower down the order, as they finished with 258.JJ Smuts was the pick of the bowlers for Warriors, claiming figures of 2 for 49. He then gave the chase early thurst with his 21st List A fifty, but the rest of the batsmen fell away. Budaza, playing only his 10th List A game accounted for Smuts,Jerry Nqolo, and Yaseen Vallie to finish with career-best figures. Erlank then wrapped up the tail to dismiss Warriors for 184 in 43.3 overs and seal Knights’ third win of the tournament.

Following on from their crushing 2-1 defeat against Arsenal in midweek, Wolves have another tough test ahead of them this afternoon with a Premier League clash against West Ham United at the London Stadium, who also have aspirations of securing European football this season.

On the chalkboard

In terms of which players Bruno Lage could pick to be in his starting XI to take on the Hammers, one figure that didn’t start in midweek that we feel should be in from the beginning on this occasion is midfielder Leander Dendoncker.

The Belgian was taken out of the team against Arsenal so the Wolves boss could go with a midfield duo of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho whilst having three attackers of Daniel Podence, Raul Jimenez and Hwang Hee-chan in from the beginning.

Taking into account how the Midlands club ended up losing the match against Mikel Arteta’s side and conceding a total of 26 shots at goal, it could be worth putting Dendoncker back in the team alongside Neves and Moutinho to make the side a bit more defensively solid.

Despite only being on the pitch for eight minutes in total and having five touches of the ball, the 26-year-old still managed to win one duel, block one shot and complete one tackle, showing the defensive capabilities he has.

With David Moyes’ side having scored 21 more league goals than the Old Gold this season, adding a bit more defensive strength to the team could be the way for the away team to secure a positive result on this occasion, which could work out for the Belgian to make a return to the starting XI but maybe not for winger Pedro Neto who may be hoping to get his first league start of the season.

Labelled as an “important” player for his side by Lage, the £27m-rated midfielder could have the chance to show his manager that he should be a regular starter every week if he’s able to help his side pick up three points this afternoon so he doesn’t get dropped again in the future.

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Also, with teammate Max Kilman saying about Dendoncker that “nothing phases him,” this is the sort of mindset he would need when coming up against the likes of Jarrod Bowen, who has managed to score five goals in his past six games and could be a threat to Wolves if he’s in the right mood.

In other news: Sold for £16m, now worth 55% less: Wolves had lucky escape with 28 y/o “massive flop” – opinion

Speaking to Football Insider, Paddy Kenny has made a West Ham United exit claim involving Vladimir Coufal following some news this week.

The Lowdown: Ben Johnson contract extension triggered…

As broken by reliable journalist Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard, the Irons and GSB have just made a big contract move this week regarding one of their outstanding talents.

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Indeed, West Ham have apparently activated a two-year extension clause in Ben Johnson’s deal as they look to fend off rival interest in the Premier League.

The Englishman has been a revelation under manager David Moyes overall this season while Coufal, having struggled with fitness issues, has been questioned by comparison.

Amid this development, Kenny has made a possible exit claim regarding the Czech defender.

The Latest: Kenny makes Coufal exit claim…

Speaking to Football Insider, the pundit and former Sheffield United goalkeeper claimed that Johnson’s extension could plunge the Czech Republic international’s future at West Ham into doubt.

He explained: “He’s [Coufal] an unbelievable player who might be losing his place.

“West Ham clearly believe this young lad is going to be the future.

“It’s a long season so there will be plenty of chances for the both of them to play.

“If Moyes starts picking Johnson over Coufal, then Coufal might just think about leaving.

“He probably has another big move in him and he won’t want to spend the next few years on the bench.

“West Ham have to make a choice about who their number one left-back is.

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“If Coufal thinks he’s number two he will be off and he will definitely be able to find a move.”

The Verdict: Good point?

Depending on Johnson’s form in Coufal’s absence, with the latter having undergone surgery on a hernia, it could be a long fightback for one of Moyes’ heroes of last season.

However, we certainly shouldn’t discount the 29-year-old as being able to battle with Johnson for a place under Moyes, and in an ideal universe, both players would be comfortable rotating as solid right-back options for West Ham in the near future.

In other news: ‘My understanding’…West Ham transfer reveal out of Rush Green involving ‘exceptional’ star, find out more here.

Antonio Conte has dropped a worrying injury update concerning Tottenham Hotspur wing-back Ryan Sessegnon.

What’s the latest?

In comments made following Spurs’ highly impressive 5-0 demolition of Everton on Monday evening, the 52-year-old Italian revealed that the 21-year-old – who was substituted at half-time in the fixture – was withdrawn as a result of a muscle injury, before going on to state that he hoped the setback was nothing major.

Regarding the England U21 international’s latest knock, Conte said: “Ryan Sessegnon, we have to make evaluation [on Tuesday]. I hope [it’s] nothing serious as it is a muscular problem. I hope [it’s] nothing serious because every time this player is having continuity of performance and then something [goes] wrong or [he picks up] a little injury. I hope it is nothing serious.”

Supporters will be gutted

Considering just how long it has taken for Sessegnon to earn a regular spot in the Tottenham Hotspur first team, the suggestion that the youngster could now be ruled out for yet another significant period of time is sure to have left the Spurs supporters gutted.

Indeed, since making a £25m move to North London in the summer of 2019, the £13.5m-rated wing-back has made a total of just 27 appearances for the senior side – something which has largely been down to a series of injury layoffs, with the youngster having picked up seven separate knocks in the last two and a half years.

However, after Sergio Reguilon was recently sidelined due to illness, the 21-year-old Sessegnon was subsequently handed five consecutive starts in the Premier League, the most since making his switch from Fulham.

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As such, considering that the £53k-per-week defender had finally started to find a decent level of form over his recent appearances, the fact that he now appears to have suffered yet another injury setback is sure to come as a massive blow to not only the player himself but also to Conte and his top-four chasing side.

In other news: Forget Kane: £74k-p/w Spurs ace who won 80% duels proved he’s no longer a “weak link”

Rangers are having a solid season so far, keeping pace in the Premiership title race and on course to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The Gers could also make it through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup tomorrow, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team firing strongly on three fronts.

In terms of standout figures at Ibrox throughout the campaign, it would be hard to ignore Alfredo Morelos, who has scored at least one goal in every competition in which he has played, with 19 goals netted in 39 games and eight assists to his name as well.

With this in mind, it’s safe to say that the Gers would almost certainly not be left fighting on three fronts had it not been for the Colombian’s regular goals.

Unsurprisingly, the striker – who is currently earning £33k-p/w according to Salary Sport – has averaged 4.4 shots at goal in the league this term, which is higher than any other player in the Premiership at this stage.

This has then led to the Colombian totalling 110 shots at goal, more than any other player in the top flight and 24 more than Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson in second place, highlighting what a deadly player he is for Rangers in front of goal and what a handful he has been for opposition defences.

Described as an “executioner” in front of goal by the Polish media for his goalscoring efforts in the Europa League last season, Morelos has been just as deadly for the Light Blues in the same competition this term, with four goals in eight appearances. He is also their top scorer in the league with 11, which is more than their next highest G/A contributors James Tavernier and Joe Aribo.

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If the £11.7m-rated star can keep scoring for Van Bronckhorst’s side in all competitions for the remainder of the campaign, he would hold the key for Rangers not only retaining the league title but also potentially securing the Scottish Cup and Europa League.

In other news – 71% duels lost: £21k-p/w Rangers passenger was carried by his team-mates on Thursday…

Everton are now likely to sign Neto this summer, which may in turn spark an exit for Jordan Pickford.

The Lowdown: Pickford doubts

With no clean sheet in the Premier League since November, there have been question marks raised over Pickford and his defence.

Jamie Carragher called them a ‘Championship back four’ after their 5-0 loss away at Tottenham Hotspur, while there is a debate over whether Pickford should lose his starting spot in the England national team to Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Nonetheless, it seems as if the Goodison Park faithful may look to bring in a new man in between the sticks for next season.

The Latest: Neto likely

As per Spanish outlet Sport, the English top flight is now the ‘most likely’ destination for FC Barcelona shot-stopper Neto, and his agents have a ‘lot of input’ towards the Merseyside club in particular.

Farhad Moshiri and co. are allegedly ‘planning’ for a new ‘keeper after Pickford’s ‘bad year’, although this will depend if they end up getting relegated or not.

Barca are asking for a transfer fee in the region of €14m (£11.8m) for his signature, but could be ‘open’ to an initial loan move with an option to buy.

The Verdict: Avoid

Although Neto has been one of the more prominent goalkeepers of his generation, having won the Serie A title twice with Juventus and played in the UEFA Champions League with £65,000-per-week in Spain, it would be a big risk.

Sure, Pickford’s form could be questioned, but he has not entirely been helped out by the players in front of him, as they have conceded no fewer than 47 goals in total in the Premier League so far this season.

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All the while, the 28-year-old has only made one error himself that has led to a goal in the division, and Frank Lampard gushed over the ‘world-class’ saves that he is still capable of after the Toffees narrowly lost 1-0 at home to Manchester City – the manager has started Pickford in every league game since he arrived.

Nonetheless, if they were to end up swapping Pickford for Neto, it could turn out to be a huge mistake.

In other news, find out which Liverpool star the Blues are now eyeing here!

While Jesse Marsch will quickly be making an assessment of his current group of players at Leeds United, he will no doubt also be keeping a close eye on the players who are away from Elland Road at the moment.

One of those is Helder Costa, who joined La Liga side Valencia on a season-long loan last summer with an option-to-buy included for the Spanish giants.

Reports last summer suggested that the Whites were open to letting him go on a permanent basis, seeing him as someone who could be sold for decent money to then be reinvested into the squad.

Costa had a woeful campaign in the Premier League last season for the Whites, scoring just three times and providing only three assists in 22 games – indeed, he has found the back of the net only eight times in 71 matches altogether for Leeds.

His time on loan at Valencia has been worse even than that, managing no goals and just the one assist in 19 La Liga games, with his poor form now seeing him completely drop out of the first-team picture and being restricted to stoppage time cameos in recent weeks.

After a particularly disappointing performance in the Premier League against Liverpool last season, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan criticised the Portuguese winger, telling Football Insider: “The one player that disappointed me was Helder Costa. Once again he was poor. There is something there that is not right because Poveda came on and did more in that short time than Costa did in the 60 minutes he was on the field.

“He is fourth in the pecking order in terms of wingers for me. Poveda has to come before him now. He plays it safe and he’s negative. For a player that cost £16m, I need to see a hell of a lot more from him. At least Poveda runs at people. He is positive and that is what a winger should do. Costa has been a massive flop. A real disappointment again.”

Indeed, former Leeds player Carlton Palmer has previously said of Costa to FFC: “You look at things and say, if you’re looking to spend the type of money that Leeds are looking to spend, if you’ve got someone there on decent money and they aren’t playing regular football, then those are the type to move on enable you to use his salary to bring in the players that you want, who are going to make your squad a better squad.”

Earning around £70k-a-week, Costa is one of the Whites’ highest earners at Elland Road, but he has done nothing to suggest that he is worthy of being in that category of players, and he is simply burning a hole in Andrea Radrizzani’s pocket.

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Given that his record overall at Leeds has been shocking to say the least, this summer must finally see the end of Costa’s time at the club.

AND in other news: “We’re told…”: Graham Smyth drops big Leeds United update that’ll delight supporters

The Athletic’s Crystal Palace correspondent Matt Woosnam has been reacting to details regarding the club’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea next month.

The Lowdown: Palace’s road to Wembley

The Eagles booked their place in the last four of the competition with an impressive 4-0 win over Everton prior to the international break.

Patrick Vieira’s side have also defeated Millwall, Hartlepool United and Stoke City en route to Wembley, avoiding Liverpool and Manchester City in the semi-final draw.

Palace still have two Premier League fixtures to fulfil before thinking about the meeting with Thomas Tuchel’s side, with full details of the semi-final now confirmed, as per the Eagles’ official website.

The Latest: Semi-final details

Woosnam took to Twitter on Friday morning, relaying the date and kick-off information for supporters.

Palace will take on Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday 17 April at 16:30, with Woosnam labelling the kick-off time as ‘appalling’ for Easter Sunday.

The Verdict: Not ideal

It would make sense for the game to commence earlier due to travel on what will be a busy day, but that won’t be the case for Palace fans making they way across Londin.

Liverpool and Manchester City meet on Saturday 16 April in a 15:30 kick-off, with both clubs also unhappy about having to play the semi-final in the capital due to travel restrictions from the north-west.

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Hopefully, no Palace fans wanting to go to the game will miss out, with season ticket holders set to get first choice when tickets go on sale.

In other news: Another Palace star now wanted by Eddie Howe this summer; has same agent as 6 Newcastle players

Arsenal centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette is attracting increasing interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by French publication L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), who claim that Lyon are keeping an extremely close eye on the situation of the Arsenal centre-forward – whose current contract at The Emirates is due to expire at the end of the season – ahead of a potential move for the 30-year-old this summer.

However, the report goes on to state that Mikel Arteta’s side could yet offer the France international a short-term contract extension – believed to be one year plus the option of a further.

Arteta must axe Lacazette

While it is undeniable that Lacazette has quite significantly improved his form in recent weeks – scoring one goal and providing four assists over his last seven Premier League outings – the fact remains that the 30-year-old has never really lived up to his then-club record £46.5m tag back in 2017.

Indeed, despite being a fairly £18m-rated striker is far from being the deadly 20+ bagsman Arsenal require to fire them back towards the top of the Premier League table.

This is something that has been all too apparent over the £182k-per-week forward’s 23 Premier League outings this season, over which the player who Robin van Persie claimed is “not world-class” and Uche Amako labelled “shocking” has scored just four goals and missed six big chances.

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As such, considering his hefty weekly wage – with the Frenchman currently being Arsenal’s highest earner – in addition to the fact he will turn 31 this May, Arteta must axe Lacazette this summer, as it is clear that the centre-forward is simply not clinical enough in the final third to justify his salary at The Emirates.

AND in other news: Arteta can finally axe £27m-rated “practice dummy” as AFC bid for “sneaky” £13m dynamo