Liverpool Leading The Race For Senegalese Centre-back: Does The Move Make Sense? | OneFootball

Liverpool are reportedly leading the race for Olympiacos centre-back Pape Cisse having sent scouts to watch him this season.

In Ibrahima Konate, the Reds managed to sign just one player in the entire summer transfer window. Despite Konate playing only once in the Premier League so far, it looks like the Merseysiders are eyeing further defensive reinforcements.

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are keen on signing Olympiacos star Pape Cisse but will face competition from Premier League rivals Everton and Arsenal, who have scouted the central defender as well.

Pape Cisse, 26, has been with Greek giants Olympiacos since arriving from Ligue 2 side AC Ajaccio in 2017. So far at the Karaiskaki Stadium, the Senegalese international has won the Super League Greece and the Greek Cup, while scoring 12 goals in 105 appearances across all competitions.

After spending the second half of the season on loan with Saint-Etienne, who didn’t take the option to buy him in the summer, Cisse is back with Olympiacos and has already played 13 times, scoring two goals in the process.

Pape Cisse to Liverpool—Are the Reds in need of the centre-back?

Liverpool were hit brutally with an injury crisis at the back last season, with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold missing significant chunks of football in a season that saw Jurgen Klopp’s side go trophyless.

However, all the defenders have returned stronger than ever and helped the Reds to a strong start to the new season. Van Dijk and Matip’s return has given Jurgen Klopp’s side the solidity they missed in their rearguard last term.

Gomez is an able deputy to either Van Dijk or Matip, while the Anfield faithful have just seen summer signing Konate once in action. Plus, Nathaniel Phillips also remains an option at centre-back with Rhys Williams and Ben Davies loaned to Championship outfits Swansea City and Sheffield United respectively.

The addition of Konate and the return of Van Dijk, Matip and Gomez from long-term injuries means Liverpool are well stocked as far as their centre-back unit is concerned. This makes the Reds’ interest in Pape Cisse a bit of a head-scratcher.

Liverpool have already got quality young defenders like Konate and Gomez in their ranks and while it is true that they both are yet to get opportunities to shine this season, there is hardly any evidence to prove that Pape Cisse could be an upgrade on them.

With all due respect to Cisse’s qualities, his success in the Greek League hardly guarantees the same in the Premier League. As experienced as the Senegalese international is and the qualities he would bring to a team, Liverpool aren’t in dire need of defensive reinforcements. Klopp has a plethora of options to select from in central defence and that should make the acquisition of the Olympiacos star pointless.

Hence, Liverpool should avoid signing Cisse, and instead, splash the cash on reinforcing their forward options in January to compete on all trophy fronts this term.