Liverpool’s summer transfer strategy under Arne Slot is taking shape amidst contract issues with 3 of their top players in Alexander Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah.
RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba seems to be one of the frontrunners as defensive reinforcements according to rumours online. But while the French defender has qualities that suit a ball playing, progressive style of football, doubts remain over whether he fits Liverpool’s defensive demands.
Lukeba joined Leipzig from Lyon in 2023 for €34 million and has made 63 appearances for the German side. With Leipzig potentially missing out on the Champions League, they’d have to sell some of their young talent, and Lukeba is one of them.
But his £74.5 million release clause poses a significant financial hurdle. More importantly, does he match what Liverpool need at the back?
One of the biggest concerns is Lukeba’s aerial ability. His aerial duel win rate has been in the low 50s over the past three seasons—significantly lower than Liverpool’s full-backs, let alone Virgil van Dijk, who operates in the 80s.
Analyst Dr. Phil Barter put it bluntly: “That’s going to be a problem in the Premier League.”
Beyond aerial duels, Lukeba’s defensive numbers are also unconvincing. His percentile rankings for clearances (45th), blocks (47th), and tackles (41st) don’t scream dominance—key attributes we’ve seen from Liverpool’s centre backs.
Where Lukeba does stand out is his ball-playing ability. He ranks in the 77th percentile for passing and 89th for progressive passes, aligning with Slot’s possession-based system that often progresses centrally thanks to the double pivot. The Frenchman also possesses good pace, something that will help against teams that play a counter-attacking style of football.
However, comparisons with Liverpool’s existing center-backs suggest a gap in defensive presence. Ibrahima Konate is more dominant across key metrics, and van Dijk is on a different level altogether.
Beyond the tactical fit, Lukeba’s reported £75 million release clause makes him an expensive option. He also missed 14 games this season due to injuries, raising concerns about his reliability.
While he has qualities that suit Liverpool’s style in possession, his aerial struggles and defensive numbers make him a risk at that price, and certainly not an immediate for a stalwart like Van Dijk.
With Slot’s emphasis on defensive stability they may need to look elsewhere for a better-rounded option.
