BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 28: Leandro Cabrera of RCD Espanyol looks on during the Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on June 28, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Burnley Express), Liverpool are interested in signing Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera as a replacement for Dejan Lovren.
Cabrera, 29, came through the ranks of Defensor Sporting Club’s youth system and played for several clubs like Atletico Madrid, CD Numancia and Real Zaragoza before moving to Italy with Crotone on a free transfer in the summer of 2017. However, he was sent on loan to Getafe initially and impressed for the Spanish outfit last season before making his move permanent.
Last January, Espanyol signed him and the centre-back impressed despite the Catalan club getting relegated to the second division in Spanish football. Thus, Liverpool should take advantage of his situation at the La Liga side and make a move for him in the summer.
The Reds, meanwhile, have managed to lift the Premier League title for the first time in the modern era. Jurgen Klopp’s men have been brilliant in the last two seasons and their points difference with second-placed Manchester City shows their level of improvement.
However, if they are to continue with their dominance and keep going in the next campaign, they need to bring in reinforcements to several key areas. Doing so would help them in taking the steps to dominate the English top-flight for a sustained period.
One key area the manager needs to focus on strengthening is the backline. They have been one of the most dominant defensive forces in the league, conceding just 29 goals so far. Virgil Van Dijk, one of the best defenders, has led their defence brilliantly.
However, there have been concerns over the other centre-backs’ consistency. Joel Matip has struggled with injuries throughout the campaign and since his return, he has not been the same.
Croatian defender Dejan Lovren has not been up to the mark and that was evident from the game against Watford, where he was at fault for two of the three goals the Reds conceded. Thus, signing a central defender is a must in the summer.
In that regard, signing Cabrera would be a suitable move to add depth to the squad. He has been impressive in the 15 league games he has featured for Espanyol this season. And his inclusion would definitely bolster Liverpool’s squad depth.
Apart from Van Dijk, Liverpool have no consistent player in defence in recent times. And this could hamper their progress in the near future. Hence, they should make a move for Cabrera this summer and lure him to Anfield.
