Liverpool urged to make stunning transfer bid for Arsenal star: ‘Best in the league’ | Football

Liverpool have been urged to pursue the audacious signing of versatile Arsenal star Jurrien Timber to upgrade Arne Slot’s defensive options.

Timber missed Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brighton at the weekend, but has otherwise been virtually ever-present for Mikel Arteta’s side this season.

The Dutch international has been superb at right-back for the Gunners, while also deputising superbly at centre-back when injuries have necessitated.

Timber is under contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2028, although reports suggest that the club are already in talks to extend that with a bumper new deal.

Despite that, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has urged his former side to test the waters with a bold bid for the 24-year-old to help them with a position that has proved problematic to fill since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid last summer.

‘When I look at the defence and who Liverpool should sign, personally I think they need a centre back and a right back,’ Warnock told Aceodds.

‘In the right back position they have Frimpong, Gomez and Bradley. All three are injury prone and they are not robust enough to play week in week out, and that is something they have to go away from.

‘Liverpool has to look at how reliable their players are to play every single week, and at the moment those players aren’t fit enough for that. That is a major issue for Liverpool at the moment.

‘Liverpool are a better team when they have a proper right back in that position. It balances the team better and allows Szoboszlai to play in the midfield.

‘So, I think signing a right back is equally as important as signing a centre back at the moment.

‘The issue I have with right backs at the moment is that it always seems to be midfield players playing there, the Guardiola style. I think you need a specialist for that right back, which can be difficult to find in January.

‘In an ideal world I would bring in Jurrien Timber, but I don’t think Arsenal would allow that. I think he is the best right back in the league.

‘I think he is brilliant. Someone of that quality who is good in 1v1 situations. Since his ACL injury he has shown his robustness to come back.’

Having spent £450million over the summer, Liverpool may not have the funds available for more heavy spending in January, with Slot coy when recently asked about side’s transfer plans in the New Year.