Rumor Mongering: Chelsea, Leeds Target Urged To Join Liverpool Instead

Liverpool’s wish list going into the offseason was straightforward: Timo Werner, a backup left back, a 4^th-choice center half, Timo Werner, maybe some creativity in midfield, and a 24-year-old German speed merchant goal machine if one just happened to be available for a bargain basement price. A global pandemic has altered the timelines somewhat, but the transfer team has since steadied the ship and already locked down full back, Kostas Tsimikas (going to have to Google that name for a while), with midfielder Thiago as well as non-Timo Werner attacking depth in the club’s sights.

However, the dearth of reliable links to a quality replacement for the departing Dejan Lovren in the heart of defense may be now rectified as Brighton center back, Ben White has emerged as a potential target. The mobile defender recently returned from a season under Marcelo Bielsa helping Leeds United win promotion from the Championship and has reportedly earned admirers from several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Leeds.

However, one of the 22-year-old’s former managers believes that the versatile, ball-playing defender would do best to snub all other suitors in favor of Liverpool. While Michael Flynn (no, not that Michael Flynn) last worked with White at Newport County back in the 2017/18 season, the ex-coach recently gave an interview selling Anfield as an optimal destination.

“I’d love to see him at Liverpool,” Flynn said talking to TalkSport2. “I know Pep Lijnders, the assistant, he’s an unbelievable coach.”

“So, I know he will help Ben improve. He’s got to do what’s best for Ben White. That could be getting a season in the Premier League with regular games at Brighton, which I think he could do.

Although there aren’t any signs that Liverpool have registered an interest in the player as of yet, one can imagine that a promising prospect like White has most certainly crossed Mikey Edwards’ radar at one point or another.

“[Brighton boss] Graham Potter might want to keep him and bring him on and then sell him for more money after a year in the Premier League,” said Flynn.

“That’s a decision for Ben, but for biased reasons, I’d be edging him towards Liverpool.”

While on the surface, match time might be hard to come by for a 4^th choice center half in Jürgen Klopp’s world class team, the injury records of Joe Gomez Joël Matip could potentially mean plenty of opportunities for a new recruit to partner Virgil Van Dijk on the pitch. Coupled with the bonus prospect of daily Klopp hugs and a chance to compete at the heights of Europe rather than scrapping mid-table increases the appeal for an emerging young defensive talent.

“I’m that confident of Ben that I think he can force his way into any team,” Flynn continued. “Let’s not forget, he’s going to have even better players around him, they’ll bring him on.

“Jurgen Klopp, as a manager, gets the best out of all his players. I can just see him improving again,” he added.