Why Fikayo Tomori to Liverpool makes so much sense as Reds initiate talks with AC Milan

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Liverpool’s need for a new centre-back has been heightened over the past week, with injury issues arising for Joe Gomez and Jeremy Jacquet.Jacquet is expected to be fine to play in Sunday’s friendly against Leeds United, but Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Gomez will miss the start of the season, leaving only Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni and Jacquet as senior options.Given the amount of football Van Dijk played last season, and the fact that he is 35, and the concerns over Leoni’s last action coming more than 10 months ago, Liverpool must act to bring in a new centre-back. Who would be your choice of centre-back signing for Liverpool this summer?

The Reds clearly need to do something after fresh injuries to Jacquet and Gomez Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC The trouble here is that Liverpool cannot block the pathway for Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who looks like he’ll be in contention when he returns from a loan spell this season, so any signing must be more of a short-term fix.That is where rumours linking Liverpool to AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori come in. According to TuttoJuve, the Reds have made contact with Milan over a move for Tomori as they look for an ‘experienced and reliable’ centre-back.

And, though he may not be fans’ first-choice, the 28-year-old would arguably fit the remit perfectly.Tomori can fix Liverpool’s defensive depth There is no question that Liverpool are in a slightly difficult spot in terms of their centre-back planning. They obviously want another experienced option, as illustrated in their attempts to sign Marc Guehi last summer, and they have since lost Ibrahima Konate as well.Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye are options for the future, but Liverpool need a player who can be a surer bet in case Van Dijk gets injured or Jacquet and Leoni fail to adapt.Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Andoni Iraola sounds like he wants a four-man Liverpool attack featuring Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz28, and with more than 200 Milan appearances and a Serie A title under his belt, not to mention a handful of England caps, Tomori is about as ready-made as it is possible to be.Turning 29 in December, the former Chelsea youth team prospect cannot be seen as anything other than a short to medium-term option, which will suit Liverpool as they aim to bring through Jacquet, Leoni, Ndukwe and Ndiaye.Moreover, Tomori is homegrown in England, something the Reds must bear in mind, and would surely not cost a huge amount.TuttoJuve claim that Milan are keen to keep hold of the centre-back, but if they cannot agree to a contract extension, they will be open to a sale this summer instead of losing him for nothing in 2027.Tomori could replace Joe Gomez In practice, Tomori would effectively be Liverpool’s fourth-choice centre-back if he were to arrive this summer.Gomez could fill in where required across the back line as well, but he has shown time after time that the Reds should not really count on him as an option.