Ipswich striker Liam Delap named Nottingham Forest center-back Murillo as the toughest center-back he has faced in his career. The 22-year-old, who has been mentioned as a possible summer target for Liverpool, has come up against Murillo twice this season, failing to score or assist in either of Ipswich’s games against Forest.
Delap was asked to choose between Ruben Dias, William Saliba, Murillo and Van Dijk for the toughest center-back he has faced, and although he mentioned Van Dijk — who Delap also drew a blank against in two games this season — he ultimately plumped for Murillo, who has also been linked with the Reds.
“I think everyone says Van Dijk and he’s probably been one of the best centre-backs in the world,” Delap told Sky Sports. “When I went and played against Murillo, I was really impressed with him. He’s still young and he’s so fast and strong.
“Do you know what, I think I’m going to go with Murillo. I really like what I’ve seen from him this season. I don’t watch too much football or anything but I don’t want to go with what everyone else says.”
A $40 million buyout clause in Delap’s Ipswich contract became active once the Suffolk club’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, and it is expected that there will be plenty of interest in the former Manchester City player this summer.
Delap has scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich despite the team’s struggles and there is little chance of him remaining at Portman Road next term. The Reds are interested in signing a new striker this summer, although it remains to be seen whether they plan to firm up any interest in Delap.
Arne Slot has relied on his wide players for many of Liverpool’s goals, with Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez having managed just 11 Premier League goals between them.
The anticipated sale of Nunez will help to raise funds for a new striker, with Liverpool expecting there to be a strong market for the Uruguayan after rejecting approaches from clubs in Saudi Arabia during the winter window.
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One of the offers, from Al-Hilal, was reported to have been worth $93 million, and if the club can command a similar fee this summer, it could go some way to ensuring the Reds can replace Nunez with a top-class striker.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak would be Liverpool’s preferred target but he is likely to prove too expensive, while the Reds have also been linked with the likes of Julian Alvarez, Viktor Gyokeres, and Benjamin Sesko of Atletico Madrid, Sporting CP, and RB Leipzig respectively.
