The Reds are still keeping an eye on potential recruits for their defense in the midst of all the focus on potential midfielders Liverpool could sign over the past week.
One of the most often mentioned targets has been Levi Colwill, but any serious prospects of signing the England under-21 standout have been completely dashed by the cruciate ligament injury sustained by his Chelsea center-back partner Wesley Fofana.
Castello Lukeba is one of the five probable substitutes that Jurgen Klopp can take into consideration, according to The Daily Express.
Liverpool is thought to have seen the Lyon defender in person, but if they want to sign him, they may have to act soon given that, according to sources from Sky Germany, an agreement worth €30 million (£25 million) is about to be reached with RB Leipzig as they look to replace Josko Gvardiol, who is on his way to Manchester City.
When the recent European Under-21 Championship was taking place, Reds supporters who were eager to keep an eye on Khephren Thuram, one of the team’s transfer targets, would also have seen Lukeba play for France.
He started in each of their four games during the championships and has been a fixture in Ligue 1 for the previous two seasons, appearing 58 times and tallying four goals (Transfermarkt).
The 20-year-old is mostly left-footed like Colwill, a quality Liverpool’s current center-back alternatives lack, therefore he may cover a significant void in Klopp’s lineup.
Lukeba makes up for his lack of strength in the tackle and aerially, where he ranks in the bottom 26% of positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, with an amazing average of 2.26 interceptions per 90 (FBref).
The Frenchman easily wins possession for his team by stopping opponent attacks with a precisely timed extension of his legs, placing him in the top 1% of center backs on the continent for that particular talent.
Given that Colwill appears to be out of reach, he would be a reasonable choice for £25 million who might develop into a vital player for Liverpool over the following ten years. He may be worth taking into consideration.
