Who is Goncalo Inacio? The Sporting CP centre-back Liverpool are watching

Stuart Telford

• 16 Feb 2023 11:28 GMT
• 4 min read

Liverpool are looking for a new centre-back to support Virgil van Dijk and have sent scouts to Lisbon to watch Sporting CP youngster Goncalo Inacio.

Van Dijk is still regarded as one of the best central defenders in the game, even though Liverpool have endured a difficult season, but with injury doubts surrounding Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, more depth is needed behind the Dutchman and Joel Matip.

Liverpool have a four-man shortlist that also includes Josko Gvardiol, Antonio Silva and Jarrad Branthwaite as revealed by FootballTransfers' Jacque Talbot recently, and they took in Sporting's 2-1 loss to Porto last Sunday.

READ: Liverpool send scouts to watch €45m Sporting Lisbon centre-back

Inacio played in a back three with former Liverpool man Sebastian Coates and Matheus Reis and although they conceded twice at the weekend, they helped their side to consecutive clean sheets in the two preceding games.

Inacio has a €45m release clause. What would he bring to Liverpool if they activated it?

What position does Inacio play in?

As aforementioned, Inacio is a centre-back. Although he is left-footed, he often lines up on the right of Sporting's back three with Reis, a left-back by trade, on the opposite side.

He tends to play left centre-back for Portugal's under-21s, though, meaning his positional versatility could prove an asset to Liverpool.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Gvardiol leads Liverpool's four-man defensive shortlist

How good is Inacio?

Inacio has the makings of the complete centre-back. On the ball, he is able to beat the press with his quick feet, but also happy to ping a diagonal pass to an attacking teammate - something he does with unerring accuracy.

Fernando Santos called him up for World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and the Republic of Ireland in August 2021 but a calf injury meant he had to pull out. Full international recognition would seem to be only a matter of time, though.

What clubs are interested in Inacio?

Paris Saint-Germain were linked with a move for Inacio last summer with the club lining up a replacement for Presnel Kimpembe, who had looked Chelsea-bound. Liverpool would appear to be at the front of the queue for his signature now, though.

When does Inacio's contract expire?

Inacio signed a four-year deal last April, keeping him at the Estadio Jose Alvalade until 30 June 2026.

How old is Inacio?

Born on 25 August 2001, Inacio is 21 at the time of writing.

What is Inacio's Instagram?

Inacio's Instagram can be found under the handle goncaloinacio_25. He has 96.2k followers as of February 2023.