Liverpool could take heed of Jamie Carragher's advice after reports claim the Reds are considering a swoop for a defender he once labeled a "superstar".
Arne Slot's side remains desperate to add to its defensive ranks this summer and a number of names have already been and gone since the start of the transfer window. Liverpool intends to replace the departed Joel Matip but progression has been slow.
The Reds already have a number of good options at center back but the idea is to find a long-term partner for club captain Virgil van Dijk . Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah appear to be the only two whose futures are clear beyond this summer, with Joe Gomez and Sepp van den Berg being strongly linked with moves away from the club.
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Now, however, Liverpool has narrowed its search down to just two players, according to GIVEMESPORT . It's claimed that Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix and Benfica’s Antonio Silva are the two potential players who could make the switch to Anfield before the transfer window is out.
Silva, in particular, is one of Europe's most highly-rated defenders and has already been tipped to become a "superstar" by Carragher. The 20-year-old won't come cheap, though, thanks to an $108million (£85m/€99m) release clause inserted by Benfica.
The youngster made an impressive 50 appearances across all competitions for the Portuguese giants last term, helping them finish as runners-up in the league and reach the semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions. Silva also featured as Benfica won the Portuguese Super Cup and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League .
As a result of his impressive campaign, Silva earned a call-up to Portugal's Euro 2024 squad and featured twice as it reached the quarter-finals. Since making his senior international debut in 2022, the defender has racked up 13 caps for his nation.
One of those came in Portugal's final group fixture at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, in which he became the youngest player ever to represent Portugal at the World Cup at 19 years, one months and three days old after starting the 2-1 defeat to South Korea.
Silva was also instrumental in helping Benfica lift the league title in 2022-23, scoring three goals in 30 appearances and earning himself a place in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year. In March, he was crowned the Men's Footballer of the Year at the Cosme Damião Awards.
The center-back has earned plaudits from a number of top professionals, including Carragher, who didn't hold back when complimenting Silva following his goal and assist in Benfica's Champions League victory over Juventus in October 2022.
Speaking on CBS Sports, he said: "The first goal is from that young defender. I have highlighted a couple of weeks ago, I told you all about him, and there he is, Antonio Silva. I mentioned his defensive prowess. But goalscoring there as well. He is going to be a superstar.”
Although he naturally operates as a right-sided center-back, Silva is more than capable of playing on the left of the back two due to being comfortable at passing the ball with both feet. Hard-tackling and physically strong, the Portuguese even once told Record that he takes inspiration from none other than Reds captain Van Dijk.
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