Liverpool’s Summer Targets: Leverkusen Defender on the List
As the transfer window begins to build speed throughout the Premier League, Liverpool remain one of the few clubs yet to conduct any major business in the market. The club have instead been busy with replacing Jurgen Klopp with Arne Slot, whilst the current international break have also seemingly slowed down proceedings.
With that being said, rumours have still been rife amongst the fanbase with numerous players linked. Liverpool are believed to be targeting defensive reinforcements and wingers in the early stages of the window, whilst Fabrizio Romano has revealed that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Liverpool signed a midfielder this summer.
In terms of defensive targets, Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill were heavily linked in the early stages of the window before Bologna’s Riccardo Calfiori became the latest name to be linked with a switch to Anfield. However, the young Italian is now expected to join Arsenal, with the Gunners leading the likes of Juventus and Chelsea in the race for the £40m rated defender.
However, Liverpool could reportedly reignite their interest in a previous defensive target who they held interest in back in 2021. That player is Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou, who has enjoyed a hugely impressive campaign under Xabi Alonso as they lifted the Bundesliga trophy. The Reds were interested in the Ivorian a few years ago, but instead opted to sign Ozan Kabak in the 2020/21 season.
Who is Odilon Kossounou?
Kossounou is a 23-year-old central defender for Bayer Leverkusen, but is also capable of playing right-back. The youngster made a total of 34 appearances for the Bundesliga in the 2023/24 campaign and has therefore seen his market value rise to around £35million.
Since joining Leverkusen from Club Brugge for around £23million back in 2021, he has racked up 102 senior appearances for the club. His impressive club form has also earned him 24 senior caps for the Ivory Coast national team.
Fitting in at Liverpool
Standing at 1,91m, Kossounou definitely fits the bill in terms of the physicality that Liverpool often lean towards in terms of purchasing defenders. However, as a right-footed defender, Kossounou would be a diversion from the reported transfer targets of the likes of Pacho, Colwill and Calafiori who are all left-footed.
Arne Slot will already have both Ibou Konate, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez who can play as that right-sided central defender. His versatility as a potential right-back also wouldn’t be much use with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez once again being options in that role.
Quansah has previously performed well in place of Virgil Van Dijk as the left-sided defender, but that would be the only way that signing Kossounou would make sense for Liverpool’s current squad planning.
Crunching the Numbers
Kossounou’s standout metrics come in the ball-playing department, ranking in the 99th percentile for progressive carries (2.36 per 90) and successful take-ons (0.99 per 90) for central defenders. The 23-year-old also ranks in the 98th percentile for progressive passes (6.77 per 90) and surprisingly in the 96th percentile for shot-creating actions (1.63 per 90).
Despite his tall stature, Kossounou’s aerial metrics aren’t too great with just 1.24 aerials won per 90. That metric is crucial to Liverpool’s setup and is something that they need to be working to improve, rather than lowering that output.
Financial Implications
Despite his £35million valuation, Leverkusen will likely demand a fee closer to around £50million for the 23-year-old, having signed him in 2021 for £23million. Kossounou’s current contract at Bayer Leverkusen does expire in 2026, which could benefit Liverpool considerably should they make a move for the defender.
As it stands though, I think Liverpool will still be weighing up their defensive options and I still believe a left-footed defender is more likely at this stage.
