John Aldridge has urged Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to go out and sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 21-year-old impressed for Sean Dyche's side in the Merseyside derby on Saturday, though he did come out on the losing side in controversial circumstances. Mohamed Salah scored twice late on to beat the 10-man Toffees at Anfield, but Everton were insistent that Ibrahima Konate should have received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Beto. This was after Ashley Young was sent off for a similar offence.
But, having played with one less player for more than a half of football, there were many positives Everton can take from the match. One of them was Branthwaite, who put in an assured performance for the Toffees. The defender, who spent last season on loan at PSV, has cemented himself in the XI after sitting out the first two matches.
Now, former Reds striker Aldridge believes Klopp should try and recruit the talented England Under 21 international. If Branthwaite did make the switch across Stanley Park, he would become the first player to go from Everton to Liverpool since Abel Xavier back in January 2002.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: "I don't want to upset any Evertonians by saying this, and whether Liverpool would buy from Everton is another matter as it rarely happens, but I certainly think he has got the ability to go on and become a leading figure and a starter for England.
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"The fact Jurgen Klopp even talked him up before the game in his pre-match press conference was interesting. He is likely to be on the radar of other teams as well, Manchester United have already been mentioned as a possible destination, but it’s up to Everton over what they do with him.
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Branthwaite has impressed so far for Everton this season (Getty Images)"Branthwaite recently signed a new contract with Everton, too. I’m looking at Everton's team and, if you want to go forward as a club, those are the type of players you have to keep around. Whether or not Everton can do that, only time will tell.
"A left-sided centre-back is something we were in the market for during the summer transfer window, which we didn't end up signing in the end. If we were to make a move for Branthwaite, he would probably cost a significant amount due to the English premium that we so often see in the game.
"Coming to Liverpool would be hard for the lad, it takes a bit of doing to make that switch across Stanley Park. I don’t want to upset anyone, I will stress that again, but I think he has a really bright future."
Branthwaite was pictured speaking to former PSV team-mate Cody Gakpo inside the Anfield tunnel after the game, while he also embraced England colleague Harvey Elliott. The Carlisle-born centre-back made 36 appearances on loan at PSV last season, and helped them win the KNVB Cup.
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