Burnley defender James Tarkowski in action (Getty Images)
Liverpool must sign new additions to bolster a number of areas this summer. The Reds are still aching after their lack of depth was exposed against Real Madrid in the Champions League final, losing 3-1 in Kiev. Jurgen Klopp has already completed deals for Fabinho and Naby Keita, and both players are expected to join the club ahead of their pre-season preparations.
With the midfield considerably padded, Klopp must look for defensive reinforcements. With Dejan Lovren’s inconsistency and Joel Matip’s tendency to pick up injuries, Klopp will require backup in the centre-back department.
The club have been linked with Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles and Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski. Both the defenders enjoyed superb campaigns in the Premier League last season.
Lascelles made 32 appearances in the league, scoring 3 goals. The 24-year-old was rock-solid at the back for the Magpies and he averaged 0.9 tackles and 7 interceptions per game.
Tarkowski, on the other hand, will be playing European football next season. Burnley have ended a 51-year wait for this achievement. They will compete in the Europa League after finishing 7th in the table. Tarkowski was part of a tight and rigid backline that rarely conceded goals.
Burnley conceded one of the fewest home goals in the league last season and Tarkowski was the main man behind that. He made 31 appearances in the league, averaging 1.5 tackles and 7.1 interceptions per game. Tarkowski is certainly a leader at the back, having shown immense maturity and growth over the last season.
Out of the two, it would probably be better for Jurgen Klopp to go with Tarkowski. The defender was in form all season and seems like he is getting better by the day. More often than not, Lascelles is prone to sloppiness and mistakes, but Tarkowski has just been solid.
At the age of 25, he will not just solve their immediate problems but also be a viable long-term option. Tarkowski would provide a healthy competition for places in the defence lineup for Liverpool. He has the potential and ability to form a great partnership with Virgil van Dijk as well.
Given Liverpool’s recent history of defensive woes, a player like Tarkowski will only help them get better. Hence, Klopp should try and get a deal completed for the defender before the others come fishing.
