Rumour Mongering: Liverpool Call Sokratis About Potential Transfer

Less than a week ago, Arsenal and 32-year old Greek centre half Sokratis Papastathopoulos agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent, with that mid-season contract cancellation about summing up how things went for him with the Gunners.

As such, it’s probably fair to say Sokratis wouldn’t normally be a name Liverpool—the club, the fans, or anyone associated with it—would think to bring in as a mid-season reinforcement. Times, though, aren’t normal for Jürgen Klopp’s faltering Reds.

The club are winless in five in the league, have dropped back from the title race into the thick of a top four battle, and are without Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez for the remainder of the season. Times, for the Reds, are maybe a little bit desperate in defence.

So it’s maybe not entirely implausible to hear claims today that they at least have put in a call to Sokratis, with Giannis Chorianopoulos, the chief editor of Greece’s Sportime, claiming the player received a brief inquiry call from Liverpool this week.

However, what’s potentially telling is that it’s claimed Sokratis was expecting more than a call. He was expecting, perhaps, an offer—and an offer didn’t come. Which suggests the Reds are actively looking to sign a defender but Sokratis isn’t first choice.

It’s hard to say for certain, of course, but there’s the appearance of Liverpool wanting Sokratis as an emergency option should another deal not go through. And unless things change quickly, it’s said Sokratis will sign a deal with Olympiacos shortly.

While all being highly speculative, if true, Liverpool contacting Sokratis about a move but not offering the ex-Arsenal defender a contract is the closest we’ve got to confirmation the club are in fact currently looking to make a centre half signing.