Superb centre-back passes Liverpool audition

Superb centre-back passes Liverpool audition

Liverpool still have a few problems to solve in the centre-back area this summer.

The news that Ibrahima Konate is to sign a new deal is welcome of course but there is still a risk the Reds are left short of experience.

Once Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni get up to speed the Premier League champions will have two fine central defenders for the future.

But the uncertainty around Joe Gomez - as well as Virgil van Dijk’s 2027 contract expiry - should give Arne Slot and Richard Hughes pause for thought.

There is clearly a plan to recruit a senior, experienced centre-back with Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck being looked at.

Both of those play on the left side of their backlines - suggesting that plans are afoot to identify Van Dijk’s eventual successor.

Liverpool need to look at Senesi

And Hughes and Slot could do a lot worse than come in for a player they BOTH know very well.

Marcos Senesi signed for Feyenoord back in 2019 - before Arne Slot became head coach. But the Argentine had a successful stint under the current Liverpool boss - reaching the UEFA Conference League final back in 2022.

The 28-year-old departed for Bournemouth shortly after - with Richard Hughes signing the left-footed defender as Cherries’ technical director. Senesi has emerged as one of the finest ball-playing centre-backs in the Premier League.

Following from an injury-hit campaign last season the defender has benefited from the departures of both Iliya Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen.

He has played in every top-flight game but one - which he missed for suspension - adding five assists.

Superb Senesi passes Anfield audition

His latest assist came for Eli Junior Kroupi against Leeds on Wednesday night and he was even denied a second due to a late offside flag against Evanilson.

There was little Senesi could do about either of the Leeds goals - with the Bournemouth Echo describing his efforts as “superb” on the night.

Senesi is leaving the Vitality Stadium this summer upon the expiry of his contract and there will be no shortage of suitors from the Premier League and across Europe.