Gary Lineker has claimed that Liverpool are pursuing Nottingham Forest defender Murillo ahead of the January transfer window.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have surpassed all expectations this term and go into the weekend sitting third in the league table. Forest’s defence has been crucial to their excellent start to the season with only Liverpool boasting a better backline record.
Arne Slot had a quiet first window as Reds boss with Federico Chiesa the only man he bought in. Despite that the Merseysiders have been sensational in the opening months, winning all but two of their games in all competitions to take them to the top of the Premier League.
There is though concern over their lack of depth in key areas. Virgil van Dijk remains their defensive linchpin with Ibrahima Konate impressing alongside him, but beyond that there is a drop off – something Alan Shearer has expressed concern over.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast Shearer stated his reservations about Liverpool’s defensive options. He said: “The one tiny worry would be if one of the centre-halves were to get injured.” Lineker then dropped the revelation over Murillo, saying: “I understand they’re after Murillo from [Nottingham] Forest.”
Shearer replied: “Those two at Forest [Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic] have done really well this season, that’s one of the reasons they’re flying high in the Premier League.”
Murillo has played every minute in the top flight this term and is part of Forest’s tough defence. They have only shipped seven league goals – Liverpool are the only team to boast a better record.
Joe Hart, recently appearing on Match of the Day, said on the Forest defence: “It’s a really interesting partnership between Murillo and Milenkovic. Murillo is definitely the front-foot defender of the two, always looking to come out and be aggressive, take the ball and drive Nottingham Forest on. He’s got a real art of taking the ball off people’s toes and pushing them forward. Then when he doesn’t take it, his partner in crime is there nice and calm when he does come out in Milenkovic to tidy up after him.
“They complement each other so well. Murillo knows he can get on the front foot and turn the ball over. Murillo is good in the air, he’s always on the front foot. If he’s up against Michail Antonio. It looks like a really good combination.”
