AFC Bournemouth’s Llyod Kelly continues to be a major transfer target for Liverpool FC ahead of next season. The 21-year old has impressed in his limited time on the pitch for the Cherries during the recently concluded 2019-20 league campaign.
According to reports, the Reds had narrowly missed out signing the young left-back last summer. Kelly had instead made the move from Bristol City to AFC Bournemouth for a fee worth £13 million. Despite Jurgen Klopp’s interest in the player at that time, the Cherries were successful in negotiating a deal with Kelly’s former side.
However, since then Eddie Howe’s side have suffered relegation to the Championship following an 18th-placed finish in the Premier League. As a result, many clubs will be in the market attempting to sign Kelly this summer. Liverpool FC too have registered their interest in singing their former transfer target.
Kelly’s signing could be of paramount use to the Premier League title-winning squad of Jurgen Klopp’s. With the departure of Dejan Lovren to Zenit and the lack of cover at the left-back spot, the Reds do require additional defensive reinforcements. Andy Robertson is the sole left-back in the Merseyside club’s first-team squad.
Many football pundits have warned Jurgen Klopp against not seeking a suitable back-up option for Robertson in the transfer market. Instead, midfielder James Milner has been retrained to play in an unfamiliar left-back role for the Reds over the past few seasons.
However, despite Kelly being a natural left-sided fullback, the 21-year old can operate at centre-back with ease. Following the Project Restart last month, Eddie Howe started Kelly as the Cherries’ first-team central defender for as many as seven games in a row.
In signing the England U21 international, two of Liverpool FC’s defensive openings can help be fulfilled. Following Lovren’s departure, Jurgen Klopp is in need of another quality centre-back for his side. Names such as Diego Carlos and Ozan Kabak continue to be linked with a move to Anfield.
However, making a move for the AFC Bournemouth youngster may not be an expensive affair for the Reds. Considering the possibility that the Cherries would need to sell some players due to their relegation, Kelly’s singing may come on the cheap for the Premier League champions.
