New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long has drawn the attention of English Premier League giants Liverpool, with an eye on the defender’s loan, several sources told ESPN.
Liverpool were invaded by injuries at the bottom line, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip off the field. A need so red that midfielder Jordan Henderson was forced to put in the center of Liverpool’s defense. Long would provide a short-term depth option to alleviate the lack of background line options by the Tomatoes.
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Manager Jurgen Klopp made it clear, after Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, that he would be keen to add a new center-back to the transfer window this month.
“If you have half a center at a reasonable price and one with the quality we need, then send me a message,” he told BT Sport.
“We thought [about making signings] and we think all the time, but it’s about doing the right thing. We need to find the right player. It’s incredible what’s happening on the defensive line. “
Liverpool have not officially confirmed their interest in the defender when he was approached by ESPN for comments.
The connection with Long comes amid growing European interest in the USMNT’s international defender. The Washington Post reported that the English championship team Reading wants to bring Long on loan, while MLSSoccer.com said there was “interest from clubs in England and France”.
A source in the league told ESPN on Thursday that the Red Bulls have not yet received any formal offer for Long. The European transfer window closes on Monday night.
Long, 28 years old, is a kind of late flower. It was written by the Portland Timbers in 2014, but was released in the middle of the season, after borrowing in the USL Championship with the Sacramento Republic and Orange County Blues.
He soon ended up with the Seattle Sounders and spent 2015 playing for their backup team. In 2016, Long was tried with the Red Bulls and enlisted in the reserve team, New York Red Bulls II, and spent the entire 2016 season in USL.
In 2017, Long made a breakthrough in the Red Bulls first team and has been a pillar ever since, playing 120 league, cup and playoff games, scoring nine goals. He was named MLS Defender of the Year in 2018, a season in which the Red Bulls claimed Supporters Shield, which is heading to the team with the highest total number of points in the regular season.
Long’s form then attracted the attention of the manager of the American men’s national team Gregg Berhalter, Long making 18 appearances for the USA while scoring three goals. Long is in training camp with the American team and is expected to play in a friendly against Trinidad-Tobago on Sunday in Orlando.