At just £8m, Liverpool shouldn’t overlook this bargain signing:

Whilst most Liverpool fans are concerned with improving their attack this January, I’m sure Brendan Rodgers will have one eye cast on his defence. With speculation rife over the future of his players like Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger last summer and inconsistency creeping into their games this season, a smart addition in this department may be just the ticket.

It’s never a bad thing to increase levels of competition amongst a squad. It stops complacency from creeping in and creates a self-sustaining motivation for players to pull out their best performances. Would Skrtel have performed his careless back-pass against Arsenal if he knew that a slip-up could see another player grab his place? Whilst the answer isn’t clear, I think the question’s valid.

Which brings me to Athletic Bilbao’s talented central defender, Fernando Amorebieta. The Metro notes that Liverpool have been priced out of a move for him in the past (he has a £27m release clause) but that his contract situation (it’ll be finished in 2014) means that Atheltic may be willing to let him go on the cheap. A figure of £8m is quoted – an incredibly low fee for a player of his caliber, pedigree and nous.

The Metro also claim that Zenit St. Petersburg are leading the race for Venezuelan. If that’s truly the case, I hope Brendan Rodgers can steer his side back into pole position. Players of Amorebieta’s quality rarely become available at bargain prices such as these. At 27-years-old he may be on the look for the last major contract of his career and may prefer a jaunt in the Premier League over a Russian adventure that would largely lack in excitement (perhaps that’s a little reductive, but hopefully you get my point).

He has made more than 200 appearances for Athletic and looks to be ready for a new challenge.

He’s tall (6 ft 4 in), powerful and dominant in the air. He’s the kind of player that would fit in nicely in the Premier League – physicality is a key part of his game. He won’t let himself get bullied and he’ll try to exert himself on opposition strikers as much as possible. He’s got the mentality and the ability to cause the likes of Skrtel and Agger to look over their shoulders and fear for their place.

So wouldn’t this move make sense? Whilst a defender is not Liverpool’s main priority, it would be hard to argue against the arrival of Amorebieta.

What’s your take? Should Liverpool prioritise their signings or should they snap up Amorebieta?

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