Liverpool draw up seven-man shortlist of centre-back targets including €75m Reds supporter

Liverpool have drawn up a seven-man shortlist of centre-back targets which includes RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol.

Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah both found the net as Liverpool recorded a much needed 2-0 win over Wolves on Wednesday evening.

Last week Jurgen Klopp’s side were subjected to a bruising 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League last-16. The Reds then responded by playing out a tepid 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace, a side yet to have picked up a win this calendar year.

Nevertheless, yesterday’s victory lifted the Anfield club to sixth in the Premier League, just six points behind fourth placed Tottenham with a game in hand.

Silverware may be beyond Liverpool this season, given they are out of both domestic cups and have their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread, but making the top four would be a major achievement at this stage, and have massive implications on their summer transfer plans.

Liverpool’s centre-back shortlist

According to Goal’s Neil Jones, Liverpool have compiled a seven man shortlist ahead of the summer window.

The Merseyside club are allegedly targeting Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio, Brighton’s Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill, Everton’s 20-year-old star Jarrad Branthwaite, Torino’s Perr Schuurs, West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd and Leipzig’s Gvardiol.

Indeed, Gvardiol is the player with the highest pedigree of the seven, with the Croatian having starred at the World Cup and been a talismanic figure in the Bundesliga.

However, the 21-year-old, who has also been the subject of interest from Chelsea in the past, would reportedly cost well over £70million, with Leipzig keen to keep the 21-year-old for at least another season.

Liverpool may have the edge when it comes to luring Gvardiol, who is valued at £66million (€75million) by transfermarkt.

When asked what club he wanted to join when as youngster, Gvardiol told Danas: "That would definitely be Liverpool.

“Since I was little, I watched a lot of Liverpool matches with my dad, and we covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart."

Topics: Football, Liverpool, Josko Gvardiol, Transfers, Jurgen Klopp, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.