Centre-back Ben Davies looks set to stay at Liverpool this summer after Celtic just missed out on him in January.
The Hoops looked to have tied down the former Preston man on a pre-contract. However, in Neil Lennon’s words, Celtic were “gazumped” by Jurgen Klopp’s side to his signing [Sky Sports].
Since then, he’s had a torrid time of it. He has yet to play a single minute for his new club since arriving several months ago. That’s despite the fact Liverpool have been going through a centre-back crisis too.
Davies’ future looked ominous after a reports earlier this week that Liverpool were about to splash £35m on Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate [The Guardian]. However, speaking on popular Liverpool podcast The Red Agenda, journalist James Pearce claimed the Englishman remains in Klopp’s plans for next season.
“I’m only expecting Liverpool to buy one centre-half this summer and as things stand at the moment I think that’s likely to be Konate from Leipzig.
“The fascinating thing will be what Klopp does on top of that because I think with the manner of having three centre-backs all coming back from serious injuries you’re gonna have to be more stocked in that department than you would usually be going into a normal season.
“I spoke to people close to Ben Davies and he’s been told that he won’t be going anywhere, that Liverpool still see him as part of the setup next season.”
Ben Davies to stay with Liverpool; Celtic should keep tabs on this one
One potential avenue for Celtic this summer to sort our centre-back problems could’ve been to return to Liverpool with an approach for Davies. Our only real hope there would likely have been a loan deal. However, with three centre-backs needing to be signed, it doesn’t seem likely that we’ll make three permanent signings.
Of course, the picture could look very different for Davies as soon as next season. It’s easy to look at Liverpool’s centre-back situation just now and believe that they still need the ex-Preston man. But what about if Konate signs and Virgil van Dijk returns to action? What if Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are both available?
Liverpool will have sufficient cover without even including Davies. It’s not as if he’s going to be getting plenty of opportunities to prove himself next term either. Not with the centre-backs they’ll have at their disposal.
And you have to look at this from the player’s perspective too. Why on earth would he want to stay at Anfield and have another season like the last few months? It would regress him badly as a footballer. There’s nothing to be gained by it if he isn’t going to get his opportunity.
So Celtic could easily return for Davies this summer if they feel a move is still worth it. Liverpool’s thought process on this could easily change if the right chance comes along for the player.
Granted, it still remains to be seen whether the new Celtic manager will actually want Davies. For now, the message appears to be clear – he’s in Liverpool’s plans for next season.
In other news, these EPL players have reported been extremely impressed with talent Howe is said to want at Celtic.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
