Klopp could ‘easily’ convince Kalidou Koulibaly to make Liverpool transfer and play alongside Van Dijk, insists Barnes

JOHN BARNES believes Jurgen Klopp could ‘easily’ convince Kalidou Koulibaly to sign for Liverpool in January.

The former Red reckons Napoli’s star centre-back would jump at the chance of lining up alongside Virgil van Dijk.

John Barnes believes Liverpool should be chasing Napoli star Kalidou KoulibalyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But if Koulibaly is unavailable this winter, Barnes adds Liverpool should not look to sign a different player as there is nobody else who can improve the team.

Koulibaly and other Napoli players are believed to not have been paid since July after the Italians were hit with a cashflow crisis.

It means their biggest names could be available on the cheap.

And Koulibaly is the biggest of them all after establishing himself as one of Europe’s top defenders.

Chelsea are thought to be big fans of the Senegal international.

And the Blues also look set to pip the likes of Liverpool to Bayern Munich contract rebel David Alaba.

However, Barnes believes Koulibaly would be most tempted by a move to Anfield should the opportunity arise.

Current star defender Virgil van Dijk is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury and could miss the rest of the season.

But Barnes reckons the opportunity to play alongside the Dutchman when he’s fit is enough of a reason to turn Koulibaly’s head.

However, should Napoli fail to be forced into selling, Barnes says the Reds are better off avoiding the likes of Alaba as he would not improve the current side.

Barnes told BonusCodeBets: “If Koulibaly comes, he’s a player that could play alongside Van Dijk when he returns.

“So it would be easy to talk Koulibaly into joining Liverpool, unlike some other top players because he’s a person that if he comes would go straight into the first team and play every match.

“Aside from Koulibaly, I don’t think there’s anyone out there that Liverpool would look to get in January.

Virgil van Dijk could miss the rest of the season with a knee injuryCredit: AFP or licensors

Barnes believes Jurgen Klopp should not target other players if he can’t sign KoulibalyCredit: Reuters

“If Liverpool are unable to get anyone to improve the first team then why sign a new player?

“January is not always the best time to buy because all the top players you want are going to be in the Champions League.

“So it might be hard to convince them to come if they’re not going to be playing every week.

“If Liverpool are desperate and need somebody, they’ll get them in, but I don’t think Jurgen Klopp is a particular fan of buying in January.

“The situation determines what happens come January if they’re top and not conceding too many goals.

“Maybe they don’t need to do that. In January you can spend a lot of money and not necessarily improve the squad.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk