Leandro Cabrera in training
According to Marca, Liverpool have identified Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera as a transfer target ahead of the summer transfer window.
Cabrera, 28, came through the ranks of Uruguayan club Defensor, before joining Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid in 2010. The centre-back spent three years on the club’s books but made just four appearances. He had three loan spells during this time at Recreativo Huelva, Numancia and Hercules.
In 2013, Cabrera left Atletico to link up with Real Madrid’s Castilla team but spent just one year there before moving on to Real Zaragoza. The Uruguayan had a solid three-year spell with the club, during which he racked up 113 appearances, before joining Italian outfit Crotone in 2017.
Six months later in January 2018, he returned to Spain, joining Getafe on loan, and moved to the club permanently in the subsequent summer. The 28-year-old spent 18 more months at the club and after making 66 appearances, left for Espanyol in January this year.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are enjoying a dream campaign so far. Having won the UEFA Champions League last term, the Reds went on to lift the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2019 and are primed to win the Premier League title.
Indeed, Jurgen Klopp’s men are sitting comfortably at the top of the league standings, with a 25-point lead over second-placed Manchester City. And once the season resumes, they need just two wins in nine matches to lift their first-ever Premier League title.
While everything seems well and good at this point of time for Liverpool, they need to strengthen their ranks ahead of the next season, if they wish to sustain this level of success moving forward. There are a few areas that Klopp should reinforce. Firstly, a back-up left-back, while cover for Liverpool’s attacking trident of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino is also needed.
But Liverpool should not overlook the fact that their centre-back department also needs to be strengthened. True that the Reds boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season. In Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, they boast a reliable centre-back partnership.
However, as far as backups go, Klopp has an injury-prone Joel Matip and an erroneous Dejan Lovren. The duo has featured in just 17 Premier League matches this season.
Lovren was one of the Reds’ worst players when they lost their first and only league game of the season against Watford. Moreover, the Croatian’s future is up in the air, with his contract expiring in a year.
Hence, Liverpool should strengthen their options at the back and in that regard, Cabrera would be a viable option. The 28-year-old has featured in 28 matches this season for Getafe and Espanyol combined, missing just two La Liga matches over the course of the campaign. He has chipped in with three goals as well, indicating that he poses a threat in the opposition box too.
The Uruguayan has gathered plenty of experience, having made 319 career appearances so far. At 28, he still has plenty left to offer. His signing would help Liverpool add more depth to the centre-back department. It would also increase competition for places, which would, in turn, improve the quality of the squad.
Liverpool boast of the best defence in the Premier League. But as far as backup options go, Dejan Lovren has proven to be a liability. Hence, the Reds should bolster their options at the heart of the defence further. To that end, Cabrera would be a viable option. Vastly experienced, the 28-year-old would add some much-needed depth to the squad.
