While it’s fair to say Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have not been at their rampant best in recent weeks, you still would have got long odds on the standout performer during Sunday’s meeting with Crystal Palace at Anfield being one of the men tasked with keeping Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and co quiet.
There has not been many more ‘complete’ performances in the Premier League this season than the one Crystal Palace’s £17 million ace put in during that jubilant trip to Merseyside.
He might not have scored the winner. That honour went to Ebere Eze. He might not have provided the assist, a la Tyrick Mitchell, or made a series of last-gasp blocks such as Dean Henderson or Nathaniel Clyne.
But Joachim Andersen, producing his finest display of the entire campaign, was truly outstanding at both ends of the pitch. If he wasn’t towering over Liverpool’s forwards to win headers or nipping in to intercept probing through balls, Andersen was spraying passes left and right like Andrea Pirlo in his pomp.
Liverpool tipped to target Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen
“(Andersen) has been fantastic. Really impressive on the ball,” was the assessment of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, speaking to Sky Sports.
“He was brilliant,” agrees Shay Given, the former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper raving about the Dane’s display on Match of the Match. “Andersen is your captain and your leader, organising in front of him.”
“He was picking up really good positions in the goal and again, when you’ve got someone at the back, talking, demanding, moving people around, absolutely fantastic.”
Compatriot and former Denmark striker Niklas Bendtner watched on in awe as Andersen – stepping up during the ongoing absence of centre-half partner Marc Guehi – helped Crystal Palace produce a sequel to 2014’s ‘Crystanbul’.
Ibrahima Konate under fire
For Bendtner, speaking on his Stolpe Ind podcast, the former Fulham loanee would not have looked out of place lining up for the home side on Sunday. In fact, he feels Andersen would be an upgrade – at least in possession – over an out-of-sorts Ibrahima Konate.
“Now, I like to make (a proposal) where we put him in Liverpool’s team instead of Konate,” ex-Arsenal forward Bendnter muses.
“(Konate) is so slow on the ball and has no idea where to play it. There, you can argue for what he is doing there versus the fact that Joachim could play there.”
HITC understands that Liverpool are looking at defenders for the summer window, with Joel Matip’s expiring contract in mind.
The Reds are keeping tabs on Matthijs de Ligt’s situation at Bayern Munich. There is also interest in a host of left-sided centre-halves, including Levi Colwill, David Hancko and Piero Hincapie.