Generational centre-back confirms he's READY to join Liverpool | OneFootball

An exciting centre-back is confirming every game that he's ready to join Liverpool.

It's a very chaotic time at the club right now. It feels like Liverpool are finally feeling the impact of Jurgen Klopp's absence. Under the German he had the character and the demeanour to inspire all of us, even when things were going wrong.

Arne Slot doesn't seem to have the same trust, from the fans, as Klopp once had. That trust needs to be earned of course. Klopp had a brilliant track record at Borussia Dortmund prior to arriving at Liverpool.

Slot's achievements at Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar were impressive but they are nowhere near the same pedigree as Klopp's.

Naturally he will inspire less confidence as a result. But it's hard not to feel sympathy for the Dutchman's situation.

Slot has not had it easy. He's fallen the victim to expectations after winning the league in his first season and after the club's mass expenditure in the summer.

At the same time though. No one is looking at the reality of his situation. Slot has to inspire a team who had endured a terrible tragedy in the summer.

He also has to incorporate six or seven key players into his squad. After all, the new arrivals are exciting but they are also a hindrance because so many of them came in at the same time. They all need more minutes together to adjust to Slot's methods.

Then there's the centre-back question.

Liverpool are severely lacking quality defenders at the moment. Slot's depth with the injury to Giovanni Leoni has dwindled down to just three senior options.

That is not sustainable. The club needs to act quickly.

Liverpool need to bring in more centre-backs. There's been talk of Marc Guehi and others. But the club should also be looking at a player who has been on their radar in the past and who could actually be the heir to Joel Matip's throne at Anfield.

Abdelhamid Ait-Boudlal was linked with Liverpool over a year ago as per Football Transfers. He instead ended up moving to Rennes in France, where he is now slowly starting to break into the team and catch the eye.

Part of a really exciting and young team, that includes Jeremy Jacquet and an incredibly talented forward in Mohamed Kader Meïté, Ait-Boudlal has stolen the show in recent weeks.

Despite being a centre-back he has two goals and one assist in six games for Rennes so far.

© IMAGO - Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal

A fantastic ball-carrier in the mould of Matip, with his long legs and big strides able to progress the ball very quickly and effectively. Ait-Boudlal is also an excellent defender.

A stunning moment for Rennes against Monaco highlighted this. Ait-Boudlal picked the ball up in his own defensive third, he then run up to the opposition's half and played a ball out wide. He followed that ball and ran into the box where he met the subsequent cross and somehow found the back of the net with his knee.

If that doesn't confirm he's ready to step into Matip's shoes at Liverpool, then nothing else will.

He's quick and strong in the air and he reads the game exceptionally well, too.

At 19-years-old, he genuinely looks like a generational prospect and his recent performances for Rennes simply confirm that he's now ready to join a team like Liverpool.

Coming from Morocco into Europe, he needed a bridge to Anfield. Rennes has provided the perfect pathway for him.

The next step should be Anfield. He's that good. And Liverpool absolutely need him.