Liverpool: What would Croatia star Domagoj Vida bring to Anfield?


Reuters/CARL RECINE

Sky Sports are reporting today that Liverpool have bid £17.5 million for Besiktas and Croatia international Domagoj Vida. 

The center back is currently in Russia preparing for the biggest game of his career, the World Cup final on Sunday against France. 

Upon his return to club football, he may be swapping the Turkish Super Lig for the bright lights of the Premier League.

But what would Liverpool be getting if they signed Vida?

Defensive partnership

Dejan Lovren came out this past week to defend his legacy as he declared himself as one of the world’s best defenders. A large part of his renaissance as a world-class defender has been those playing around him.

At Liverpool Virgil van Dijk has given him a rock solid partner for the first time since he moved to Anfield from Southampton in 2014. 

Reuters/CARL RECINE

For Croatia, Lovren has had the cover of Vida who has been one of the standout performers at this World Cup. 

If the Reds were to sign Vida, they would possess three potentially world class defenders who would shore up what has been Liverpool’s weakest position since Brendan Rodgers was at the club. 

Last season Lovren and van Dijk helped guide Liverpool to a Champions League final and a top-four Premier League finish.

Adding Vida to the mix would mean they could shift to a three at the back, or have the comfort of knowing if they pick up an injury they have elite level cover. 

Is he good enough?

At the age of 29, Vida has never played in one of the elite European leagues. He played just one league game for Bayer Leverkusen and has since played in Croatia, Ukraine, and Turkey.

Liverpool would be banking on his World Cup performances being the norm if they were to purchase him.

Reuters/CARL RECINE

Besiktas also got Vida on a Bosman transfer, which would mean they would be making a sizable profit on the player that they only received in January of this year. 

The fear for Liverpool is that they would be getting another El-Hadji Diouf - a solid World Cup performer but nowhere near good enough to play regularly for an elite Premier League club. 

His performances at the World Cup have put Vida on the map as a top defender, but clubs should be wary about throwing money at players who have shone at the World Cup but never anywhere else. 

Do you think this would be a risky signing? Let us know in the comments below. 

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