On Monday, we covered the peculiar links between Liverpool and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite after sources close to the Blues told the Liverpool Echo there has been “zero contact”. Meanwhile, those close to the player were said to be “left bemused.”
Speaking on the Blood Red Podcast, Joe Rimmer has shared that people close to Branthwaite are shocked and believe it would be a catastrophic PR disaster.
No player has crossed Stanley Park in over 20 years and should it happen now, the backlash Everton and the player would receive is unimaginable.
“People that we know, people who have spoken to people quite close to him, and they are quite shocked about it, surely it’s one where for Everton it would be a PR disaster if they sold to Liverpool surely?” Rimmer said.
Branthwaite is a tremendous player and one that could go on to become a star at Anfield but despite Liverpool’s reported interest, it is difficult to imagine FSG forking out over £80m to sign the 22-year-old. And it would definitely require more than the reported asking price to prise him from Everton’s grasp.
Liverpool’s need for a new centre back is undeniable
Amid reports that Joe Gomez could leave the club, Liverpool’s centre-back depth could be set to take another blow after Joel Matip left the club last season.
Arne Slot has yet to add any players to the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp and selling another potentially key player would set them back further. Jarrad Branthwaite is likely not the solution the Reds are in need of but they need to find one or suffer the consequences.
