15 Dec 2016

Deal Close? Liverpool Reps sent to watch 'impressive' £20m powerhouse; Klopp wants January transfer

Liverpool are reportedly considering a January raid on one of Rafa Benitez's high-flying Newcastle players.

According to the Sunderland Echo:

"Liverpool sent a rep to scout Jamaal Lascelles last weekend. They will watch Lascelles again in the coming weeks, with a view to making a bid [in January]".

Some info about £18m-rated Lascelles, who is Newcastle's captain:

* 23-year old center-back, who can also play at right-back. Contract expires: 2020

* 108 apps for Nottingham Forest and Newcastle. Injury free so far.

* Scouting Report (Strengths): "Aerial presence is a real asset. Impressive leap. Strong in the challenge. Has pace. Prefers to play short passes rather than long".

* Scouting Report (Weaknesses): "Tendency to give away fouls in aerial challenges. Slightly ill-disciplined. Willingness to give forwards too much space to turn".

* Aug 2016: Steve McClaren's assessment: "From nowhere he [Lascelles] became a leader. He used to come after the senior and foreign players in training if he thought they weren’t putting it in, which caused conflict, but we needed the conflict.”

Leadership ability is thin on the ground in Liverpool's squad, especially in defence, which is an area of the team that can benefit from a real onfield leader. Plus, Lascelles is 23, which is (arguably) an ideal age for a central defender to come into the squad and stake a claim.

Possible replacement for Mamadou Sakho?


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