Garth Crooks has suggested that Liverpool make an “audacious” move for Brighton’s Lewis Dunk when naming his Premier League team of the festive period.
In his weekly BBC Column, the pundit selected Dunk in his team due to the defender’s performances against Newcastle United and Watford, believing he is good enough to play for a top four team.
“It was Dunk’s performance against Watford, and again at Newcastle, that left me thinking he is a top-four defender if ever I saw one,” wrote Crooks.
“Whether he can mentally cope in that environment would be my only concern, but in terms of his defensive qualities I don’t think I’ve seen a better centre-back this season.”
The pundit then went on to specifically name Liverpool as a team they should make an “audacious move” for Dunk, sharing that following Virgil van Dijk’s signature with Dunk’s, would give them “two towering defenders who know how to defend.”
Crooks believes given the current market Dunk would be valued at around the £35million mark, with a £45million offer being enough for Chris Hughton to drive Dunk to Anfield himself.
The defender has made 22 appearances for the Seagulls across all competitions this season, to help them sit 12th in the table.
OPINION
There’s no denying that Liverpool should consider signing more defensive players in the January window, as that’s the area they’re weak in. However, to shell out £35million-£45million on another centre-back shortly after signing Van Dijk would be a risky move, and an odd one. Settling one player in the defence will prove hard enough, let along trying to settle two new players into the back-line at the same time. Although if the Reds are determined to sign another centre-back, there are few better in the Premier League than Dunk. Crooks’ theory is an interesting, but wild one.