It’s been a irritating season for a Liverpool facet who began with aspirations and expectations of retaining their hard-won Premier League title.
However Arne Slot’s facet have been a shell of that crew, dropping 9 of 12 matches in all competitions throughout the autumn.
Arsenal’s lead on the high is unassailable, for Liverpool, in any case. Nevertheless, this stays a crew laden with elite expertise, and the pursuit of glory within the FA Cup and Champions League could be very a lot on.
However the Reds are undoubtedly fragile in defence, and that wants sorting earlier than the top of the January switch window.
How Liverpool plan to repair their defence
Marc Guehi stays a high goal, however FSG are understandably reluctant to fulfill Crystal Palace’s valuation, in extra of £35m, for a participant months away from free company.
With any variety of high groups additionally eager on the Three Lions centre-back, sporting director Richard Hughes has earmarked an alternate.
Liverpool’s points on the again, in any case, are aggravated by the doubtless departure of Ibrahima Konate on a free contract on the finish of the season.
However in response to TEAMtalk, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck could be very a lot on the Reds’ radar, they usually’ve obtained fairly the enhance of their pursuit.
Valued at round £50m, the German has additionally been focused by Actual Madrid, however with Los Blancos cooling their curiosity, it may be stated that the Anfield membership have emerged as the brand new frontrunners.
How Schlotterbeck would slot in at Liverpool
With Giovanni Leoni sidelined with a long-term knee damage, Konate set to depart and skipper Virgil van Dijk turning 35 on the finish of the season, Liverpool’s backline must be remanned with elite new components.
Schlotterbeck, 26, is without doubt one of the most dynamic centre-halves within the recreation proper now, having been hailed as an “absolute beast” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig for his depraved mixture of bodily, technical and defensive strengths.
If Liverpool lose Konate on a free switch this summer season, it is going to be a blow to Slot’s defensive depth. However given the Frenchman’s catastrophic blunders all through the season, maybe the Dortmund star would show a swift improve, doubtlessly even maintaining him out of the crew over the approaching months, ought to Liverpool act now.
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Konate vs Schlotterbeck (League Comparability 25/26) |
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|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90) |
||
|
Targets |
0.00 |
0.08 |
|
Assists |
0.00 |
0.08 |
|
Touches |
77.96 |
84.17 |
|
Cross completion (%) |
89.3 |
85.3 |
|
Progressive passes |
4.23 |
6.50 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
0.66 |
1.58 |
|
Progressive carries |
0.96 |
1.33 |
|
Ball recoveries |
3.02 |
5.00 |
|
Tackles + interceptions |
2.21 |
3.25 |
|
Clearances |
6.50 |
4.67 |
|
Aerial duels gained |
3.93 (73%) |
1.92 (66%) |
|
Knowledge by way of FBref |
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Konate was criticised earlier this season for his “horrible” build-up play by analyst Raj Chohan. Liverpool have keenly felt the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, and Konate greater than most.
Curtis Jones has been tasked with drifting again and including a dimension to Liverpool’s backline when initially of a ahead transfer.
Schotterbeck solves that tactical conundrum, filling a gap that has been designated for Palace’s Guehi however would possibly as an alternative swimsuit the German’s capability on the ball.
It is a defender who has honed their expertise over the previous a number of years in his homeland and would add a distinct flavour to Liverpool’s backline. He is additionally left-footed, and so might feasibly exchange Van Dijk when that day comes.
As per Sofascore, he is additionally gained 72% of his floor duels within the Bundesliga this time period whereas managing to keep away from a single mistake that led to a shot or purpose. That is in stark distinction to Konate within the Premier League, who has made 4 of such errors from 21 matches.
Guehi can be the extra fascinating signing for Liverpool this 12 months, for certain, however Schlotterbeck is a few participant. The English recreation doesn’t know him but, however they might if he joined Slot’s squad this 12 months.
He is using an even bigger wave than Konate, and he is extra tactically attuned to the best way during which Slot desires to play. However, furthermore, Schlotterbeck is likely to be the right Guehi different facet for Liverpool.
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