Pundit Robbie Earle believes that Liverpool should sign West Ham United central defender Issa Diop in the ongoing January transfer window.
Earle appeared on the latest episode of The 2 Robbies podcast and the panel discussed multiple issues involving the Premier League. One topic of discussion was centre-backs that Liverpool should be looking to sign this month. Earle talked about West Ham’s Diop and he believes that the Frenchman could perform better if he was to depart east London.
Diop has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool and it has also been stated that Jurgen Klopp wants to sign the defender. Having said that, David Moyes wants to keep the 24-year-old Frenchman at London Stadium and rates him as a player.
Should Liverpool sign Issa Diop?
Yes
No
Earle praised Diop for his athletic abilities and believes that he would be a better option for the Reds than someone like James Tarkowski, who has previously been mooted as a potential solution to the Reds’ issues at centre-back.
He said: “Here’s an interesting one I was thinking, and again, he wouldn’t be on top of people’s list and not everybody’s cup of tea – Issa Diop, West Ham United. French, 24 years of age. I like his athleticism. I think in a better environment, I think he can be sturdy. I think he can improve. I think he’ll get better.
“I’d rather that than a Tarkowski who probably gives me more now, set age. I think Tarkowski is sort of, you know, his age and where he is in his career, I’m not sure. I think there’s another step in Diop. I think there’s another step or two in Diop.”
TIF Thoughts on Earle’s comments on Diop…
Diop has played only four Premier League games this season and his last appearance for the Hammers came back in December against Crystal Palace. He’s been on the bench in every game since then.
As per FBRef, he has always won over 60% of his aerial duels in a single season since his last year at Toulouse. Since that period, his short passes completion accuracy has been over 85%, while the same applies for his medium-range passing accuracy. This might be a sign of the fact that he’s very good aerially and dependable on the ball.
So with Joel Matip also injured alongside Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, it would certainly make sense for the Reds to try and sign someone like Diop this month.