Milan Skriniar (Getty Images)
According to Metro, Liverpool are considering a move for Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan. The defender is being eyed as cover for the injured Virgil Van Dijk who is likely ruled out for the entire season. Spurs were touted to sign him in the last transfer window but nothing materialised. They are again expected to go for him next summer but Liverpool could well move in front to lure him in January.
Milan Skriniar rose through the youth ranks of MSK Zilina in his homeland. He went on to make 93 first-team appearances for the Slovakian giants in all competitions, scoring 13 goals in the process. The towering central defender earned a move to Serie A outfit Sampdoria in January 2016 and made 38 appearances before joining heavyweights Inter Milan in the summer of 2017.
Skriniar has since established himself as one of the best young centre-backs across the continent, featuring 130 times for the Nerazzurri across all competitions. During that time she has scored and assisted 4 goals each (source – Transfermarkt).
Skriniar represented Slovakia across various age-group levels between U-17 and U-21. He made his senior international debut in 2016. He has since accumulated 33 caps for his nation.
Van Dijk’s injury was all over the news but with Matip and Fabinho’s return to fitness, things have sort of cooled down in that regard.
Nonetheless, Skriniar should be signed by Liverpool. Yes, he will cover for Van Dijk until he comes back but his use goes beyond that. He can be the ideal partner for the colossal Dutchman and form one of the most feared defensive pairings in Europe.
The Slovak represents a huge upgrade on the likes of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. In spite of Van Dijk’s presence, Joe Gomez is targeted by teams as the weak link and is forced into defensive errors as we saw in the game against Aston Villa.
At 25, Skriniar is entering his prime years as a centre-back and can be one of the best options for Liverpool in both short and long term. Regardless of any factor, Liverpool should go ahead with an offer for him. With Spurs also interested, a January move should be on Liverpool’s priority list.
