Liverpool can use Michael Edwards’ “stamp of approval” to upgrade Andy Robertson’s plan through a move.
A talent that was selected during the Michael Edwards period is reportedly being connected to Liverpool. Updating an Andy Robertson strategy might still make sense with this transfer.
Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth was formerly connected to Liverpool, and as his contract is about to expire, the whispers have surfaced once more.
As 2022–2023 came to an end, Liverpool’s most recent midfield makeover appears to have been more successful than many had anticipated. Wataru Endō and Alexis Mac Allister have shown promise in spurts but not consistently, whereas Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch appear to be future superstars if they are not already.
Even with this stellar performance, a lot of Reds fans believed that more needed to be done last summer, including adding more players to the back line. Although those demands have been somewhat subdued by Jarell Quansah’s rise and Liverpool’s generally strong defense this season, the defense is still the part of the team that is most likely to be strengthened in the summer window.
When it comes to rumors, some circulate for years before coming to fruition, while many linger and never get completed. Liverpool is being linked with a young defender who it was reportedly interested in signing at least three years ago. It may even offer a chance to correct a deal some fans might consider a mistake.
It makes sense that the Cherries, who are in the thick of the relegation fight, would want to hold onto a player who has started six of their last eight league games and twice served as their captain. But, Kelly’s contract expires in the summer of 2020, thus Bournemouth’s next transfer window is their last chance to demand a premium for the 25-year-old.
As he currently earns a relatively modest $37k (£30k/€34.6k) a week, the financial aspect of the deal would not deter the Reds, free transfer or not. Kelly would also appeal in several other ways, before we get to his qualities as a player; he would help with homegrown quota requirements, can play at left-back or as a left-sided center-back and is 191cm tall.
Even though the Premier League is not as aerially harsh as it once was, height is still a big thing in English football, even though the latter may not appear that significant. Kelly is one of the tallest full-backs in the division; most converted center-backs, including Dan Burn, tower over him. If he were to join with Liverpool, he would be the tallest player in the team.
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There has been interest in the relocation since Michael Edwards’ tenure at the club, thus it may have happened in 2020, if not earlier. Kelly “signed for the Cherries last summer [2019] for just £13.3m [$16.5m/€15.2m] from Bristol City after Liverpool were interested in his services,” according to a June 2018 Liverpool.com story.
The central thesis of the article posited that, had Bournemouth been demoted at the conclusion of the season, he could have been a respectable target for the Reds. However, Liverpool and Edwards decided to buy Kostas Tsimikas during that transfer window rather than make a bid for Kelly.
The Greek is unlikely to leave anytime soon because he recently agreed to a contract extension. However, his tenure with the Reds has been an odd blend of highs and lows. He went from making an Opta-defined defensive blunder last week that gave Toulouse a lead it would not relinquish to dishing out two assists the next game.
Kelly may not have had the same scoring potential, but in 50 Premier League games, he has only made two mistakes. He is at least comfortable dribbling to the attacking end of the field, as evidenced by the fact that two seasons ago he was the Championship’s second-top player for progressive carrying distance. Perhaps Liverpool needs a more reliable backup for Andy Robertson.
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