Liverpool Target Defensive Duo: Dann & Cahill Wanted

Posted on 28. Mar, 2011 by Matt Kenny in Rumours

Kenny Dalglish is reportedly eyeing both Scott Dann and Gary Cahill, as he looks to strengthen his defence this summer. Birmingham City stopper Dann is a Liverpool fan and would jump at the chance to play for his boyhood club whilst Bolton stalwart Cahill would relish the chance to further his career at Anfield.

24-year old Dann has become a key figure for Birmingham since moving to the Midlands in 2009 and his impressive partnership with Roger Johnson is one of the main reasons for the Blues’ success.

England international Cahill has been attracting admirers even since moving to the Reebok from Aston Villa in 2008, with the 25-year old’s dominant displays making him a target for all the top teams. Cahill is thought to be rated at around £15m while Dann could fetch as much as £10m.

Liverpool manager Dalglish is thought to be keeping tabs on Roma defender Phillipe Mexes, who is available on a free transfer, incase moves for Cahill and Dann fall through.

Kopsource rating: (Cahill) 62% – (Kopsource ratings explained)

Source credibility: 60%     Player rating: 79%     Value for money: 65%     Likelihood: 45%

Kopsource rating: (Dann) 66%

Source credibility: 65%     Player rating: 74%     Value for money: 70%     Likelihood: 55%

A potential move for Cahill has been reported by a number of sources including the Guardian, Telegraph, Daily Mail and Daily Mirror, so there appears to be a degree of truth to the story. NESV showed in January that they are willing to release funds for top young players and if Kenny wants Cahill I’m sure they would part with £15m to acquire his services.

Kopsource originally reported Dann as a possible target back in September, and then again at the beginning of December. However, the story has since been reported by Sky Sports and Goal.com. I suspect that the sources are simply re-linking Dann with a move because he is a Scouser who happens to play in a position that Kenny is looking to strengthen.

Both players have been outstanding over the past 18 months but I’d be inclined to go for Cahill if I had to choose between the two. Scott Dann is undoubtedly a strong defender but he benefits from playing in a defensive side alongside Roger Johnson (who I believe to be the better of the two) and does not have the same natural ability as Cahill.

As well as being powerful in the air and as strong as an ox, Cahill is deceptively quick and has the best touch of the current England centre halves which allows him to start a lot of attacks for his side. Teams like Liverpool need quality all over the pitch and a player like Cahill will help the team defensively and offensively in the same way that Daniel Agger does.

I wouldn’t complain if we signed Dann this summer because he’s a good player but Cahill is a cut above and should be our top defensive target this summer.