Liverpool eye transfer for £52m Endo associate who’s like Bellingham

Liverpool may need an intense interval of soccer forthcoming however FSG’s new CEO of Soccer Michael Edwards and Anfield’s contemporary sporting director Richard Hughes are already mapping out plans for the summer time switch window.

Jurgen Klopp will depart the membership on the finish of the marketing campaign however the gears are beginning to whir behind the scenes and supporters can count on a whirlwind of exercise over the approaching months, each within the dugout and regarding the squad on the sphere.

It is anticipated that strengthening central defence will take priority at Liverpool, however that is to not say that the Reds will not goal enhancements in different areas, with the midfield probably receiving one other thrilling addition.

Liverpool’s summer time switch targets

Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are each out of contract on the finish of the marketing campaign and whereas the backline will certainly have its consideration, Edwards seems eager to make yet one more transfer within the centre of the park.

As such, experiences that Liverpool are Juventus’ largest rival within the race to signal Atalanta star Teun Koopmeiners would possibly maintain some weight, with Corriere dello Sport – through Sport Witness – stating that ‘concrete curiosity’ is held, albeit stressing that the OId Girl are the favourites.

Atalanta need €60m (£52m) for the Netherlands worldwide and given the brilliance of his performances throughout the previous few years, there’s confidence that he would make a big effect at Liverpool.

Why Liverpool are enthusiastic about Teun Koopmeiners

Liverpool are second-placed within the Premier League heading into the ultimate stretch and are behind table-toppers Arsenal solely on aim distinction. The squad has been restored after sweeping adjustments to the midfield final season – why is Koopmeiners wanted?

Effectively, as talked about above, 32-year-old Thiago is poised for the exit after accidents have restricted him to simply 5 minutes of motion this season, whereas the damage problems with current months counsel that the Reds would possibly want to take motion and set up a closing layer of power and safety within the engine room.

Klopp is leaving in two months, and with him a high-octane, distinctive model of soccer, however that is to not say that his successor is not going to require most of the qualities which have allowed Liverpool’s gamers to thrive, and Koopmeiners’ multi-functionality would dovetail proper into the system.

Koopmeiners has principally been utilized in an attacking midfield position this time period, although he has additionally made an impression in central midfield, because the anchorman and even out on the appropriate wing on one event, denoting his elite versatility and dynamism.

As per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the many prime 1% of midfielders throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for targets scored, the highest 7% for shot-creating actions, the highest 9% for progressive carries and the highest 8% for touches within the attacking penalty space per 90.

Furthermore, he has been hailed for his “full” ability set by Dutch legend Ruud Krol, boasting a formidable return of 12 targets and 4 assists from 32 matches in all competitions throughout the present marketing campaign.

However whereas his goalscoring extravaganzas are probably the most engaging aspect of his arsenal, the £32k-per-week ace is greater than only a menace within the closing third, finishing 82% of his passes in Serie A, as per Sofascore, whereas averaging 1.9 key passes, 1.3 tackles and 4.7 ball recoveries per match.

Contemplating his likeness to Actual Madrid maestro Jude Bellingham, whom Liverpool have been fervent admirers of earlier than his £115m switch to the Spanish capital in June 2023, it’d nicely be price enjoying to Atalanta’s £52m tune and welcoming him to the fold.

Bellingham, aged 20, has plundered 20 targets and 9 assists from solely 31 matches for Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit to this point, together with his lethal motion and easy consciousness rubberstamping his tag as one of many world’s most prodigious skills, if not the prodigious rising star.

After all, he isn’t only a goalscorer and has accomplished 89% of his passes in La Liga, as per Sofascore, averaging 1.7 key passes, 1.4 tackles, 4.5 ball recoveries and seven.1 profitable duels per recreation. It’s this that actually defines him as a limitless expertise.

Liverpool would do nicely to signal a participant of comparable fashion, and on condition that the Anfield facet have clearly executed their homework on this profile, it’d simply be a enterprise price making.

Ought to he signal, Koopmeiners would possibly even discover that he forges a effective partnership with Wataru Endo, retaining the Japan worldwide within the beginning XI heading into the brand new period on the membership.

Why Teun Koopmeiners is ideal for Wataru Endo

Moises Caicedo. Romeo Lavia. There was a degree in Liverpool’s summer time switch window the place signing one in all these thrilling Premier League midfielders – or maybe, in a dreamy world – each. Because it was, each wound up at Chelsea and Klopp and Co have been pressured to assume outdoors the field.

They’re fairly good at that, although, and so the shock £16m signing of Endo from Stuttgart has proved to be a bona fide success, with The Athletic’s James Pearce exclaiming “what a signing he is been” following the 31-year-old’s monstrous efficiency within the Carabao Cup closing in opposition to Chelsea.

Industrious and dogged, Endo has chalked up 33 shows for Liverpool to this point and has accomplished 88% of his passes within the Premier League, retaining it easy and permitting the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to flourish.

He additionally ranks among the many prime 18% of midfielders throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for targets and the highest 8% for aerial duels received per 90, as per FBref, highlighting his command within the centre and added dimension in aiding Liverpool’s offensive surges.

Given Koopmeiners’ tendency to push ahead and search targets, additionally an efficient playmaker, the Dutchman may discover the right associate in Endo, who has already demonstrated his effectivity behind Liverpool’s current choices, all boasting similarities in creativity to the Atalanta man.

After all, Liverpool will meet Atalanta within the Europa League quarter-finals subsequent month in what would possibly stand as an audition for Koopmeiners. Ought to he impress, rumours would possibly see one thing of an acceleration within the months to come back.