Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back during the summer transfer window.
The Reds have lost Joel Matip since the end of last season and are looking to make up for his absence in the squad.
Liverpool do have plenty still to call upon following Matip’s exit. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are a top-class duo, with Van Dijk still arguably the best defender on the planet.
The Liverpool captain was the Reds’ best player in 2023/24 and would walk into any team in the world. Konate meanwhile still has enormous potential despite his recurring injury problems.
It will be virtually impossible for Arne Slot to better on his two first choice centre-backs in the market. However, former Wales defender Ashley Williams thinks there is someone out there who is superior to both Konate and Van Dijk.
Ashley Williams puts Antonio Rudiger at the top
Williams was a good Premier League player for a time. Having excelled with Swansea, he also took in a spell at Everton.
With 86 caps for Wales, the 39-year-old is also highly experienced on the international stage.
So, when BBC Match of the Day asked Williams to play a game of ‘winner stays on’ with defenders of Euro 2024, it was worth hearing his opinion.
However, Liverpool supporters will have come away unimpressed, as the pundit named Germany’s Antonio Rudiger as being better than both Van Dijk and Konate.
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Williams is initially set on picking Man City defender John Stones, who sees off competition from a number of notable players before the selection lands on Rudiger.
After winning that battle, the Real Madrid defender is then pitted up against Konate.
“I’ll keep Rudiger,” says Williams and promptly faces a choice between Van Dijk and the former Chelsea man.
“Ooooh!” exclaims the pundit. “I’ll keep Rudiger!” Williams goes on to name the Germany centre-back as the top defender at Euro 2024, also beating off competition from Arsenal’s William Saliba.
Who could be Liverpool’s next centre-back?
There’s obviously no chance that Liverpool will go out and sign Antonio Rudiger this summer. The 31-year-old is a key player for Real Madrid.
It’s more likely that Rudiger will actually find himself playing alongside someone who Liverpool themselves would like to bring to Anfield.
The Reds are currently locked in a battle with Real for Lille defender Leny Yoro.
Liverpool reportedly see Yoro as being a generational talent, but it seems as though the 18-year-old has his heart set on partnering Rudiger in Madrid.
No matter though, because the Reds appear to have a back-up plan. Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori has been linked and would be another exciting option.
In the meantime though, we’re picking Konate and certainly Van Dijk over Rudiger any day. He’s good, but he’s not that good.