Generational star confirms he’s now ready to join Liverpool

There is an exciting central defender who is ready to join Liverpool.

When Richard Hughes failed to secure Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window, there was a worrying feeling that the decision could come back to haunt the club.

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This concern has now become a reality.

Giovanni Leoni’s serious injury has left Liverpool’s defensive depth in a fragile state. Missing another opportunity to sign Guehi in January – only to see him join Manchester City – made the previous failure even more costly.

There has been some planning, with the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet, but he and Leoni cannot be the only “new” center backs at Anfield next season.

The truth is that relying on Jacquet and injured Leoni simply isn’t enough. With Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate both struggling with fitness issues and facing uncertain futures, reinforcements are essential.

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Liverpool also cannot afford to rely too much on inexperienced options like Mor Talla Ndiaye or Ifeanyi Ndukwe. If stability is to be restored at the rear, further additions are not only necessary, they are urgent.

Let us introduce you to Liverpool’s perfect solution to this problem: Dylan Lawlor.

He’s sort of a cross between Joel Matip and Adam Wharton but in central defender form. Liverpool scouts have been credited with their interest in the young Cardiff City centre-back, and he could be the perfect extra depth the Reds need – especially as he probably won’t cost too much money.

Lawlor caught Cardiff’s eye against Doncaster last month with a brilliant solo goal that made him look like he was Matip’s best in terms of turbo power.

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The 20-year-old Welsh central defender started just outside his own penalty area when he received the ball and decided to lash out.

Lawlor transformed into Diego Maradona as he waltzed through the Ligue 1 defense and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

It was yet another sensational moment in Lawlor’s rapidly ascending career. He has established himself as one of the best young centre-backs in the EFL and has also become a regular at international level for Wales.

He has now confirmed he is open to joining a club like Liverpool in his latest outing for Wales. In just his fourth international cap, Lawlor joined Wales’ squad against Bosnia in a crucial World Cup qualifier and he absolutely shone.

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Lawlor won six of his nine duels, including three of four ground duels and three of five aerial duels. He also made four clearances and four recoveries and really stood up to the physical test put on him by Bosnia’s strong and experienced attackers.

It was a sign that Lawlor was ready to step into a more physical environment like the Premier League.

On top of all that, he also completed 96 passes and made 10 passes into the final third.

Lawlor’s ability with the ball is what sets him apart. He is a very technical and forward-thinking player who likes to break the lines and also carry the ball – just like Wharton.

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He is incredibly comfortable under pressure and although he doesn’t have the long gait of Matip, he has the same ability as the Cameroonian to waltz through opposition lines.

Defenders often fall into only one category. On the ball, they are either carriers or passers. Matip was both, as was Lawlor.

This ability to break lines while carrying, rather than simply passing alone, makes Lawlor’s style very reminiscent of Matip at his best.

He is now putting in top-notch defensive performances against strong, top-notch attackers like Edin Dzeko. With his performance on Thursday, Lawlor confirmed that he is ready to join a club like Liverpool.