Liverpool tipped to make audacious transfer swoop for Arsenal defender | OneFootball

The Reds lack a defensive rock and could turn to a Gunners’ star

Timber has established himself as a key part of Mikel Arteta's fragile defence, playing at both right-back and centre-back, to help the Gunners' cement themselves as Premier League title favourites.

Liverpool, the reigning champions, meanwhile have struggled for consistency all season, especially at the back having already shipped 26 goals in 18 games. Captain Virgil van Dijk appears a shadow of his former self, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit continues to be keenly felt.

And Timber, who missed Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brighton with an injury, has been highlighted as an answer to Liverpool's defensive woes.

"When I look at the defence and who Liverpool should sign, personally I think they need a centre-back and a right back," Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told Aceodds.

"In the right back position, they have [Jeremie] Frimpong, [Joe] Gomez and [Conor] Bradley. All three are injury-prone and they are not robust enough to play week in week out, and that is something they have to go away from.

"Liverpool has to look at how reliable their players are to play every single week, and at the moment those players aren’t fit enough for that. That is a major issue for Liverpool at the moment.

"Liverpool are a better team when they have a proper right back in that position. It balances the team better and allows [Dominik] Szoboszlai to play in the midfield.

"So, I think signing a right back is equally as important as signing a centre back at the moment.

"The issue I have with right-backs at the moment is that it always seems to be midfield players playing there, the [Pep] Guardiola style. I think you need a specialist for that right-back, which can be difficult to find in January.

"In an ideal world I would bring in Jurrien Timber, but I don’t think Arsenal would allow that. I think he is the best right back in the league.

"I think he is brilliant. Someone of that quality who is good in one-vs-one situations. Since his ACL injury he has shown his robustness to come back."