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Liverpool: Josko Gvardiol dreams of Anfield move

Liverpool: Josko Gvardiol dreams of Anfield move - Liverpool News

Croatia and RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has suggested that he dreams of playing for Liverpool one day, having supported the Reds growing up.

The Lowdown: Gvardiol outstanding at World Cup

There were many outstanding performers at the 2022 World Cup but Gvardiol stood out as one of the best defenders on show in Qatar, with Rio Ferdinand saying that he has a ‘great presence‘ and the youngster featuring in many journalists’ team of the tournament.

The 20-year-old was magnificent at the heart of Croatia’s defence, starting all seven matches and showing why he is considered one of the most exciting players in Europe in his position.

Leipzig will do well to keep hold of Gvardiol for too much longer given the widespread transfer interest in him, and some recent quotes from the player are intriguing from a Liverpool perspective.

The Latest: Gvardiol enamoured by Liverpool

In a recent interview with Croatian outlet RTL Danas [via TEAMtalk], the 20-year-old admitted that he has always loved the idea of playing for the Reds, having developed a fondness for them in his childhood.

When asked which club he’d have liked to played for as a child, Gvardiol replied:

“That would definitely be Liverpool. Since I was little, I watched a lot of Liverpool matches with my dad and we covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart.”

The Verdict: Long-term Van Dijk replacement?

Liverpool were actually linked with a move for Gvardiol as recently as last month, with one report claiming that they had shown the ‘greatest interest’ in the defender.

While there are more important areas of the pitch to strengthen at Anfield currently – midfield has often been touted as a position in need of urgent attention – the Leipzig gem is a special young talent who could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who is now 31 and has suffered some serious injuries.

The fact that Gvardiol loves Liverpool should immediately put the Reds in a position of strength in the event of a bidding war, and his combination of technical quality and defensive nous – he had an 89.9% pass completion rate and averaged 5.3 clearances per game at the World Cup – would be perfect for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

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