The Daily Bee (December 21, 2020): Manuel Akanji Linked to Liverpool

Good morning, Fear the Wall.

With the January transfer window approaching, rumors are starting to surface about various moves that could potentially involve Borussia Dortmund. According to the report, which originated with the Daily Mail, Liverpool may be interested in BVB’s Manuel Akanji if they are unable to get their main target, RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano.

With Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez suffering serious injuries early in the season, the Reds have been dangerously shallow at the back end, with Joel Matip and Fabinho, who would typically play as a defensive midfielder, serving as temporary placeholders. Considering Liverpool’s lack of depth at center back, it’s no surprise that Jürgen Klopp’s team is linked with a center back.

As always, transfer rumors such as these (especially from the Daily Mail) should be taken with a grain of salt, but I wouldn’t be surprised if at least a few other clubs inquire after Manuel Akanji.

The Bender Twins Retire

Lars and Sven Bender, twin brothers who play for Bayer Leverkusen and long-time Bundesliga icons, have both announced their intent to retire at the end of the season.

Lars and Sven have both made decent careers out of the Bundesliga. Sven was the more successful of the two, having won the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal twice with Borussia Dortmund, while Lars Bender has spent the last 11 years with Bayer Leverkusen. Both players cited health concerns as their reasons for retiring. We wish them luck with their post-footballing lives!

The Daily Buzz

What transfer moves (if any), do you think BVB should make in the January window?