Liverpool could turn to a familiar face to help solve their search for left-sided centre-back this summer.
The ECHO reported in June the Reds were targeting a player in this position as Jurgen Klopp looks to add depth to a defensive unit that is starting to become a cause for concern. Both Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk are in their 30s, the former also entering the final 12 months of his contract, meanwhile Joe Gomez has been lacking both consistency and availability in recent times.
In Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool have one long-term option in this part of the pitch – but that is where the list ends. Unlike in attack, where the club’s traditional front three were gradually phased out through the purchases of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, the same procedure has not yet occurred at the opposite end of the pitch.
Liverpool’s first two Premier League fixtures versus Chelsea and Bournemouth offered a clear reminder of just what could go wrong for Klopp’s side this season, beaten far too easily on occasions by balls in behind and crosses into dangerous areas.
Several names have been suggested as possible options over the summer, with the likes of Levi Colwill and Micky van de Ven strongly linked. The futures of both players have since been decided, the former signing a new long-term contract at Chelsea and the latter being snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur.
Another individual who is reportedly being eyed by the Reds is Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, who is also claimed to be a target for fellow Premier League club West Ham United. Hincapie, 21, signed for the German side two years ago and has made a positive impression since switching South America for Europe.
Born in Ecuador, the youngster began his senior career at Independiente del Valle and rose through the ranks alongside a certain Moises Caicedo. The pair helped win the 2020 U20 Copa Libertadores, earning Hincapie a move to Argentina a matter of months later and Caicedo a Premier League transfer in early 2021.
Hincapie’s time in Argentina lasted only one season, however, before Bayer Leverkusen came calling for his services in August 2021. Capable of operating at centre-back, left-back or left-wing-back, the Ecuadorian has proven to be a versatile asset during his first two seasons at the club and has saw his progress to date rewarded in the form of a new contract earlier this year.
Describing why this decision was taken by the club, Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rofles said: “Piero’s signing 18 months ago was an investment in the future, back then he was a talented central defender with really big potential. He became a key performer for our Werkself a long time ago, he has shown his international quality in the Bundesliga, in the Champions League and recently at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Piero is one of the key elements in the team who we can count on to help us achieve ambitious targets in the next few years.”
Such praise has also been echoed by the current Leverkusen manager, a figure Liverpool are rather familiar with. Xabi Alonso was appointed by the Bundesliga side in October of last year and guided his team to a third-placed finish. The quality of Hincapie is certainly not lost on Alonso, who delivered a glowing assessment of the centre-back back in March.
“I think he’s a very modern defender,” said the former Liverpool midfielder. “He can play in different positions. He’s served us as a full-back in recent games, but has also been the left centre-back when we’ve played with a back three. He’s aggressive, is making better decisions when he has the ball, backs himself more to play diagonal passes and get in behind. It motivates me to have a player with his potential and desire because he helps you and you help him. He’s a great player.
Hincapie was last season the player aged under 23 with the most minutes in the Europa League and/or Champions League (1,192), but how did he compared to Liverpool’s starting centre-back from a domestic perspective? The 21-year-old came out on top compared to Konate and Van Dijk in respect of blocks made per 90 minutes (league matches only), producing almost double the amount (1.50 vs 0.76 Van Dijk and 0.73 Konate). He also tackled 65.8% of dribblers faced, compared to Van Dijk’s 42.1% and Konate’s 59.3.
From an offensive perspective, all three players performed to a similar standard: Hicapie and Van Dijk each produced three goal-creating actions, though the former excelled in progressive ball carries (46 vs 10 Van Dijk and 7 Konate). One area of concern is Hincapie’s disciplinary record, however, having received three red cards in the Bundesliga last term. This is an issue that would need to be quickly addressed should a deal be done.
Liverpool may have missed out on one 21-year-old from Ecuador during the summer transfer window, though the opportunity remains for them to avoid missing out on another future star.
