With Liverpool's defence subject to much speculation, several centre-half targets have been speculated about and touted as potential antidotes to Jürgen Klopp's defensive malaise. However, it is important to note that the ideal CB partner for Matip would require a particular and complex skill set to thrive at Anfield.
Klopp notoriously stated towards the end of the transfer window that there were few options available that would improve on his current first-choice pairing of Matip and Lovren. “Look out there and tell me five that would make us stronger, five. Then you win a prize! It’s difficult how it is,” he said.
Joe Gomez has been promoted into the first-team in Nathaniel Clyne's absence but despite impressing at centre-half for England in recent friendly fixtures, it is yet to be seen whether Gomez presents the much needed antidote to Klopp's defensive dilemma.
The Greek central defender would represent an excellent acquisition for Klopp's Liverpool. While Matip is a confrontational centre-back, very much akin to a stopper in his tendency to to mark the opposing centre-forward tightly, Manolas prefers to cover space. Hence, while Matip confronts the opponent in the role of a stopper, Manolas would be able to cover the Cameroonian's escapades with his pace, aggression and ability in one-on-one situations.
Furthermore, the Roma defender is comfortable playing in a back three; a system Klopp has explored this season. His form for the Italian capital club since joining from Olympiacos in 2014 has attracted interest from Europe's top clubs for several transfer windows, with Chelsea and Arsenal most recently linked with the 26 year-old.
Purchased by Inter Milan from Sampdoria in the summer, Skriniar has evolved into one of Europe's most promising central defenders. Much like Manolas, Skriniar's ball-playing ability coupled with his pace and aggression make him a perfect fit for Liverpool. His incredible start to life at Inter, however, has alerted many of Europe's top brass including Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. For this reason convincing the Slovakian to move to Anfield could be a troublesome venture.
However, it is unlikely Skriniar will be willing to leave Inter or be allowed to depart so soon after joining the Serie A club. Thus, it would require a hefty transfer fee to tempt the Inter hierarchy into selling Skriniar with his stock firmly on the rise.
Diakhaby has become a revelation in a youthful Lyon side that currently sit third in Ligue 1 and have cruised into the Europa League knockout stages. It is no surprise to see Pep Guardiola's Manchester City linked to the 20-year-old, who would fit the bill at Anfield for precisely the same reasons Guardiola rates the young man so highly. The talented youngster combines his speed with strength and commendable ability on the ball, making him an ideal jigsaw in Klopp's Liverpool project. These traits are also what prompted Guardiola to dispatch Tixxi Begiristan to scout Diakhaby earlier this season. Both sides deploy a dangerously high line, thus Diakhaby's recovery speed would be crucial.
The Napoli defender has cemented himself as one of Europe's leading ball-playing central defenders and a vital cog in Maurizio Sarri's fascinating Napoli side. Koulibaly combines strength and speed with unerring composure on the ball. He would represent an ideal partner alongside Matip if Klopp were to pursue the Senegalese defender.
The Senegal international completed the highest number of passes of any player in Serie A last season and bested a list of rivals that included the rock solid, Leonardo Bonucci. Koulibaly's ball-playing ability was vital in Napoli's stunning build-up play and looks set to be a vital cog in Sarri's title-chasing Partenopei this campaign.
Built differently to the other centre-backs on this list, Laporte is a student of the game who combines finesse and composure with a front-footed approach. Aged just 23, Laporte has played over 200 games in La Liga, attracting interest from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City in summers gone by. With his ball-playing ability rated as one of the best in Europe, Laporte would slot perfectly alongside Matip.
Laporte's versatility would also represent a valuable asset for Klopp, having featured on several occasions at left-back and it is this exact trait that would make him such a valuable asset for Klopp in the seasons to come.
