Liverpool were far from good enough while being beaten 2-0 by Everton on Wednesday night.
The Reds rocked up at Goodison Park three points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and still in with a shot at the title.
And although they could mathematically still come out top of the pile, realistically it isn’t going to happen. Liverpool only have themselves to blame, with Jurgen Klopp spotted going mad at his players during the match.
The two who appeared to receive the brunt of Klopp’s frustration were Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Neither could keep Everton’s robust attack under control.
Konate in particular was lambasted after the game, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher questioning the Frenchman for the Toffees opening goal.
Carragher actually went even further in his dismay, claiming that the Reds need to sign a potential replacement for Konate in the summer. And, as it turns out, Liverpool could be making concrete moves to grant that wish.
Liverpool listen to Jamie Carragher pleas
It’s probably true that Liverpool actually needed a new centre-back way back last summer. Remarkably, they’ve only permantly signed two centre-backs since Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan arrived in 2016.
Konate was one of those, with the other of course being Van Dijk. Two superb players, but more is now needed.
Jarell Quansah has helped to paper over the cracks this season, but he’s still only 21. It’s been a year of enormous progress for Quansah but we’re yet to truly know where his level will be.
As a result, Carragher is unquestionably right. The Reds badly need to bring in a centre-half this summer.
Willian Pacho identified as top target
Thankfully, it now looks as though they’re on the perfect path to do that. Reports today have confirmed that Liverpool have identified Eintracht Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho as their ideal signing.
With more than three weeks to go until the season even ends, it’s great to see the Reds getting settled early with their business. We’ve often seen Micahel Edwards do the same thing in the past.
Although it can often then lead to a boring summer, Liverpool need to know what the squad looks like as soon as possible for the new manager. With Pacho hopefully on board, a long-standing issue will finally have been addressed.
Of course, it is still very, very early days for this kind of thing, though. Although the 22-year-old seems like an early shout for Liverpool’s first post-Klopp signing, there’ll no doubt be twists along the way. Through it all the mantra must remain the same – the Reds need to bolster their defence. By hook or by crook.