Liverpool Transfer News: Benedikt Howedes Move Hint, Andrea Ranocchia Rumours

Schalke 04 defender Benedikt Howedes has hinted he would be keen on a possible move to Liverpool, revealing he wants to sample English football in the future.

The commanding centre-back is rated as one of the finest defenders in the Bundesliga and was also a vital, understated component in Germany winning the World Cup in 2014. But it seems as though the 27-year-old may be itching for a new challenge, per Bild (h/t Tom Davis of Goal):

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A move abroad excites me. England would for sure be an interesting destination. Currently I am with Schalke. There are no deals sorted. But of course, for a footballer there are some clubs that are more interesting than others.

English football is very fortunate to have someone like Klopp in the league, Liverpool is a club with great tradition and values.

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One of the key factors new manager Jurgen Klopp will have to address in the early months at Anfield is the defensive side of this team. After all, the Reds were never consistently cohesive under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers, despite spending big money in an attempt to shore up the back four.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at what other issues the German coach will seek to sort in the infancy of his tenure:

Howedes is a versatile defender who could potentially add some steel to the Liverpool team. At Schalke and for Germany, he has played across the back four but excels when at the heart of the defence. His aerial dominance, forceful tackling and astute distribution would certainly put him in a strong position to thrive in the notoriously robust Premier League too.

The Anfield Chat thinks Howedes would be an excellent acquisition for the Merseyside giants:

Still, Schalke wouldn’t be keen to let him leave the Veltins Arena given just how important he is to the cause. Howedes, according to Davis, has also recently turned down advances from Arsenal and AC Milan, suggesting that despite his ambitions to play abroad, he has a strong affinity with his current employers.

Liverpool Looking at Andrea Ranocchia

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According to Gazetta dello Sport (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror), Klopp has turned his attentions to Inter Milan’s towering defender, Andrea Ranocchia, in an attempt to bolster his defensive options.

Flanagan writes that Klopp was keen on signing the Inter man during his time as Borussia Dortmund boss, and after not starting a game for the Serie A side this term, the centre-back could well be available for a bargain price in the midseason window.

Although he’s been much maligned in recent seasons, as we can see here courtesy of Squawka (h/t Bleacher Report’s Adam Digby) the defender’s statistics aren't actually too bad:

A fresh start could potentially be to Ranocchia’s huge benefit. He’s never quite been able to nail down a consistent starting spot at the San Siro, and while he’d surely have to earn his stripes at Anfield, Klopp has a knack for making players perform above themselves. For someone with all the fundamental attributes to be a quality centre-back, that could be the making of Ranocchia.

Liverpool’s defensive issues were seemingly unsolvable under Rodgers, and after impressive youngster Joe Gomez was ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament issue, this facet of the squad does look short. Therefore, if he’s available for a cut-price amount midseason, then Ranocchia could be an ideal acquisition.