Liverpool to battle Premier League rivals for in-demand defender

Liverpool to battle Premier League rivals for in-demand defender One of Liverpool’s biggest problems this season has been at right-back, with loanee Ronald Araujo now the makeshift first-choice. Conor Bradley suffered a serious injury in January that will see him out of action for close to a year, and Jeremie Frimpong has failed to step up in his absence. The Dutchman lost his place to Dominik Szoboszlai last season and now Araujo, who is naturally a central defender, is the preferred starter. It seems likely that Frimpong is on borrowed time in Merseyside, and now the Reds are being linked with one of his compatriots for a potential January deal. Liverpool plotting move for in-demand right-back According to a new report from TEAMtalk , Liverpool continue to monitor Givairo Read ahead of a potential January move, with the 20-year-old impressing in the opening weeks of Feyenoord’s campaign. Having already registered five assists in his opening seven Eredivisie matches, it is no surprise that interest in the Dutchman is high and, according to the report, Manchester City and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the defender. Read was a target for several Premier League clubs including Nottingham Forest and Everton in the summer, but a move never materialised. Liverpool are long-term admirers of the young star, but the ongoing struggle at right-back could accelerate their interest and see the 20-year-old make a Merseyside move this winter. The report doesn’t offer an insight into how much Liverpool can expect to pay for the Dutchman, but FootballTransfers value Read at €27.5 million (~£23.5m). Even if the Reds had to pay over the odds in January, a reasonable outlay will seem appropriate to ensure the right-back position isn’t a major problem for Iraola’s side going forward. Liverpool won’t have a free run at Read, especially with their two biggest rivals for the Premier League title interested, but there is a clear path to the first-team for the Dutchman should he make an Anfield move.