Liverpool ready to upgrade on outgoing star, but Newcastle United are offering competition

Ciaran McCarthy
Jonathan Tah, Karim Adeyemi, Germany, June 2022

Liverpool have reportedly held talks regarding a potential move for Jonathan Tah, with a Reds defender heading out the door, but Newcastle United are also interested.

Liverpool’s defence has suffered thanks to injuries this season. Regular defensive partnership Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip have spent spells on the sidelines.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have felt the effects of that. In 20 Premier League games so far this season, Liverpool have lost seven and they’ve conceded 28 goals.

They only conceded 26 throughout the entire league campaign last season. Indeed, the defence has slipped well below what is expected of them.

As such, Klopp is seemingly ready to make a change. 90min reports the Reds have held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of German defender Tah.

There are a couple of reasons a move to the Premier League could come to fruition. Firstly, with Tah entering the final two years of his contract, now is a good time to either sell up or renew.

And with a club the size of Liverpool knocking, Bayer Leverkusen could make good money from the sale. There is also the fact that Tah himself is reportedly ‘interested in a move to the Premier League in the near future’.

As such, things are looking good for Liverpool’s pursuit. Tah would certainly be a good addition to the side, and with Matip reportedly being allowed the leave in the summer, he might well be an upgrade.

His 19 Germany appearances would definitely suggest he’d be a good asset to add into the mix. However, it might not be plain sailing for the Reds. Indeed, 90min reports Newcastle are also in the hunt for Tah.

As such, things could get complicated for Liverpool. Over the past few seasons, if given the choice between Liverpool or Newcastle, most would choose the former.

However, it’s not hard to see the Magpies are trending in the right direction under Eddie Howe. They’ve lost just once in 20 league games this season and are fourth in the league.

That puts them six places and 11 points above Liverpool. As such, Tah might well choose to head to St James’ Park rather than Anfield, if he’s in a position to choose.

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