Liverpool is interested in Chelsea’s Levi Colwill this summer, but a deal looks unlikely. If he does remain at Stamford Bridge, the Reds could chase Gonçalo Inácio.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have been acquired by Jürgen Klopp to improve Liverpool’s engine room, which has been his weakest area so far this summer. Prior to the start of the new season, the German was in dire need of midfield reinforcements, a problem that has undoubtedly been allayed.

It is unclear what the Reds will do next, but Klopp is still interested in Chelsea’s Levi Colwill (via Football.London), who recently helped England win the Under-21 European Championships alongside Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott. It may be challenging to sign the Blues center-back in the upcoming weeks despite the fact that he is a young 20-year-old with plenty of potential.

Given Colwill’s status as a homegrown athlete, his age, and the potential he possesses by the time his prime years approach, Chelsea intends to retain him this summer. Given that Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konaté, and Jol Matip all prefer to use their right foot, Liverpool is now without a single left-footed center-back.

One of the few left-handed players available, Colwill checks many of Klopp’s requirements. He is powerful in the air, physical, and superb in possession. He might also be the ideal choice for the Reds’ new 3-2-5 formation, which has been used at Anfield since the beginning of April.

Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Aké are Pep Guardiola’s options for left-footed center defenders at the Etihad Stadium. Gabriel Magalhes and Jakub Kiwior are teammates of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, and Lisandro Martnez is a teammate of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. Sven Botman, who joined Newcastle United a year ago, and Pau Torres, who is currently playing for Villarreal, have recently reached an agreement to be transferred to Aston Villa.

Colwill would be Liverpool’s best option for filling the glaring vacancy, but if he proves to be unaffordable this summer, Gonçalo Inácio may be the player to pursue. The Reds are aware of him and considering him, per Spanish outlet AS. Despite only being 21 years old, the Portuguese defender is quietly becoming one of the greatest in his country.

The young prodigy from Lisbon was second in the Portuguese Primeira Liga most progressive passes last season, only behind Porto midfielder Otávio, who was once rumored to be moving to Anfield (via the ECHO). Inácio posted a total of 238 and quickly became the best defensive player.

Those statistics provide a glimpse into his playing style since, like Colwill, he is quite at ease and collected when he is in possession of the ball. Inácio fits Liverpool’s requirements for left-footed players and seems to possess the abilities to fill Andy Robertson’s recent position as a left-back who occasionally has to play as a center-back.

And what makes it even more intriguing is that Inácio’s contract includes a release clause. This summer, Liverpool has already taken advantage of that useful ‘loophole’ twice, making Mac Allister and Szoboszlai available thanks to release clauses in their contracts.

Inácio’s clause is worth $51 million (£40 million/€45 million), according to the Portuguese publication Jornal de Noticias, which looks like an acceptable sum in the competitive market of today. Although it is a price that would finally fill Klopp’s left-footed gap, the Reds are unlikely to use it unless Colwill gives his possible suitors a resolution over his future.

In general, it’s unclear who Liverpool will target between now and the end of the transfer window, but Inácio appears to be a good backup option if Colwill proves to be beyond of reach for Klopp.