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Liverpool 'win' transfer battle against Newcastle United for Premier League centre-back as Virgil van Dijk exit looms

:Headline: Liverpool 'win' transfer battle against Newcastle United for Premier League centre-back as Virgil van Dijk exit looms:
Liverpool are ahead of Newcastle United in the race to sign a Premier League centre-back in the summer transfer window amidst uncertainty regarding Virgil van Dijk.
Sports Mole

Liverpool are reported to be in pole position to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi ahead of Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.

The Merseysiders also have the opportunity to beat Newcastle on the pitch at Wembley on Sunday in the final of the EFL Cup, and captain Virgil van Dijk will be hoping to win the trophy for a third time in four seasons.

Van Dijk has arguably been one of the division's finest defenders, and he is on course to win the Premier League title for a second time given the Reds are 15 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal.

However, the defender's contract at Anfield is set to expire in the summer and the 33-year-old will leave the club for free as things stand, and fans are concerned that there has seemingly been no progress over an extension.

In what could be a bid to mitigate his potential departure, the Mirror claim that Liverpool are poised to sign Palace centre-back Guehi, with Anfield said to be his preferred destination.

Does Guehi make sense for Liverpool?

Guehi has predominantly played on the left side of Oliver Glasner's back three at Selhurst Park, and he has so far won 65% of his ground duels in the Premier League this season.

The defender is also quick off the mark, and his speed would undoubtedly be useful to Liverpool boss Arne Slot given he often stations his centre-backs on the halfway line.

However, it should be noted that Guehi is just under 6ft tall and the Merseysiders have generally opted to sign taller centre-backs in order to dominate in the air.

Van Dijk has so far won 3.1 aerial duels per 90 in the Premier League - a 71% success rate - and it is difficult to see how Guehi can scale his success rate of 59% (2.3 per 90) to match the Dutchman's figure.

Why signing a centre-back is important

While Van Dijk's potential exit in the summer would undoubtedly force the club to look for a replacement, there is an argument that the Reds need an additional centre-back as a matter of priority irrespective of the outcome of his contract stand-off.

The Dutch captain will be 34 years old by the time next season starts, and even if he stays at the club, he would benefit from having capable backup.

Additionally, Ibrahima Konate will have a year remaining on his deal by the time next season starts, and his history of injuries makes signing another centre-back to compete with him for a starting spot a sensible idea.

Whether Guehi would be happy to fight for his place in the staring XI remains to be seen, but Liverpool will likely look to strengthen in defence regardless. body check tags ::

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth29128948361244
10Fulham2811984138342
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Everton2971393236-434
15Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2923242170-499
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