Liverpool’s search for a centre-back has seen them turn to some unconventional places.
Going through a defensive injury crisis, they turned to Ozan Kabak, who was brought in on loan from Bundesliga basement club Schalke 04. Meanwhile, Ben Davies was recruited from Championship outfit Preston North End.
Now, the Reds have reportedly turned their attention to a former Premier League flop in the form of FC Porto’s Chancel Mbemba.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Reds are interested in his services, but it has to be suggested that they can do better in their search for defensive recruits.
Of course, the Congolese is a capable defender despite struggling in his time with Newcastle United, where he was frozen out by Rafael Benitez and suffered relegation in 2016.
Who is Liverpool’s best centre-back right now?
Ozan Kabak
Ben Davies
Nathaniel Phillips
Rhys Williams
He has recovered from his poor spell at St James’ Park, where he played just 59 times across three seasons, with current employers Porto, having played 33 times in all competitions during the current campaign.
Also, with the report suggesting that he could be available for as low as €15m (£12.88m) with his contract ticking down, it is difficult to argue that a potential move wouldn’t be shrewd.
However, that price and Mbemba’s statistics suggest that he wouldn’t quite be the centre-back Jurgen Klopp’s men need.
According to WhoScored, the £9.9m-rated 26-year-old is averaging 0.8 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 0.5 blocks and 3.1 clearances per match for Porto this season in the league.
When compared to January arrival Kabak, the Turk is statistically a lot more convincing on the pitch with 2.3 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, three clearances and 0.5 blocks.
As a matter of fact, Mbemba is also being outperformed by current Reds Joel Matip and Nathaniel Phillips.
It makes more sense, then, for Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards to stick with the defenders they currently have at their disposal at Anfield, or indeed take the search for a centre-back elsewhere as opposed to Porto’s Mbemba.
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