Liverpool sent scouts to watch Borussia Dortmund play out a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
The main subject of Liverpool’s analysis is said to have been Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong. The Reds seemingly have an eye on triggering the Dutchman’s £35m release clause next summer.
However, 90min also claim that Liverpool were keeping watch over a second player at the BayArena this weekend.
The man in question is Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck. The Reds are reportedly ‘admirers’ of the 24-year-old, who played just over an hour of Sunday’s game.
Arsenal are also said to be fans of Schlotterbeck’s, who it’s claimed will cost a far-sight more than the £21.5m Dortmund signed him for should he leave in the near future.
Liverpool scouting Schlotterbeck
Liverpool’s search for centre-back additions has gone a little quiet of late. The promotion of young Jarell Quansah from the academy has seemed to satisfy fans that the Reds are well-covered.
However, injury to Joel Matip may now mean that Jurgen Klopp is forced to bring forward plans for a new signing.
Matip has been excellent so far this season, and has arguably been doing enough to justify a new contract extension.
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On the back of the performances he’s been showing, there was certainly a debate to had over whether Liverpool really do need fresh blood at centre-back.
However, the 32-year-old can never really be relied upon for long enough. After Sunday’s win over Fulham, Klopp claimed that Matip’s latest injury would ‘not be a short one,‘ with the manager indicating his No.32 has a knee issue. That could mean that mid-season signing is pursued. And if it is, then Schlotterbeck would be an interesting option.
Having signed for Dortmund from Freiburg in 2022, the Germany international had a mixed first season at the Westfalenstadion. He has also been a regular in a German team who are at their lowest ebb for decades.
Nevertheless, Schlotterbeck has recovered this season to show why Dortmund were so keen to sign him in the first place. Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamman even praised him recently.
“He is a great player, very good in tackling and strong in heading,” Hamman wrote for Sky Sports. “He’s probably one of the best centre-backs in terms of ball-playing skills, not just in Germany, but in all of Europe. I really hope he can finally take the next step now.”
Impressing Didi is no mean feat! Time will tell whether Liverpool share his view. For now, they’re watching.