Liverpool might land dream No.6 in £51m “machine”

So then, Brentford. Liverpool will welcome Thomas Frank’s Bees to Anfield on Sunday, nonetheless buzzing from their victory over Crystal Palace within the Premier League‘s opening recreation.

The Reds bought off to a profitable begin themselves, weathering a storm at Portman Street to rally within the second half and dispatch newly-promoted Ipswich City with a blistering second-half efficiency, with Ryan Gravenberch showcasing a possible future within the deep-lying midfield function.

Gravenberch, aged 21, is considered a multi-functional midfielder however impressed at No. 6, maybe proving to be a shrewd inner answer to Liverpool’s most outstanding quandary.

The Dutchman might be going to retain his place within the beginning line-up on Sunday, having been lauded for shining within the holding function by The Athletic’s James Pearce.

Slot additionally has Wataru Endo at his disposal, however make no mistake, Liverpool want a brand new holding midfielder.

Why Liverpool have to signal a midfielder

It will be a mistake to financial institution the pursuit of a brand new long-term holding midfielder till subsequent yr, even when Gravenberch, Endo and Alexis Mac Allister maintain down the fort with success.

Mac Allister, for instance, triumphed in a looser function throughout the second half of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, praised for being a “celebrity” who “can play wherever” by pundit Joe Cole.

The 31-year-old Endo, in the meantime, performed an industrious function in Klopp’s swansong season however was utilised sparingly by Slot throughout pre-season and was an unused substitute throughout Liverpool’s season curtain-raiser.

With anticipated title challengers geared up with Rodri and Declan Rice, who of Europe’s foremost midfielders, and Manchester United on the cusp of signing Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain – Fabrizio Romano has not too long ago stated that the transfer is “nearly accomplished” – Slot in all probability wants to seek out a solution.

Failure to signal Martin Zubimendi

Liverpool failed of their bid to signal Martin Zubimendi from Actual Sociedad earlier in August and switch guru David Ornstein said that the Reds are “not anticipating to signal another no. 6“.

That response stemmed from FSG’s circumspection round swiftly signing the unsuitable participant, with membership chiefs adamant {that a} extra prudent tone would bear the largest dividends down the road.

The Euro 2024 champion shouldn’t be the one press-resistant and dynamic holding midfielder round, with Liverpool additionally reported to have an curiosity in Atalanta’s Ederson this summer time.

GIVEMESPORT claimed in July that sporting director Richard Hughes was contemplating launching a bid, and it might be that Zubmendi was merely decided as an alternative, and that the curiosity continues to be there.

If that’s the case, time is working out to finish a transfer, however with a reported price ticket of €60m (£51m), the Brazilian may very well be the proper, inexpensive addition.

Why Ederson may very well be the proper match for Slot

Described as a “machine” within the center by reporter Carlo Garganese following Atalanta’s gorgeous Europa League ultimate victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Might, Ederson has confirmed himself worthy of a spot in Liverpool’s first group.

In any case, the Serie A facet knocked out Klopp’s facet en path to the ultimate, with the 25-year-old enjoying a central function. His combative and controlling nature has been showcased on Anfield’s pitch and signing him could be an clever transfer contemplating the rigours of the yr forward.

Rating among the many high 13% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for targets, the highest 20% for progressive passes and the highest 15% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, he even has the form of full skillset that Slot craves.

He additionally presents an immense bodily presence that might supercharge the Liverpool centre, unceasing in his actions, and dominating from the center.

Ederson additionally scored six targets in Serie A final yr, suggesting that, whereas his principal function can be to sit down on the base, he can add an attacking dimension too.

Liverpool will need to land an prompt reply to United’s soon-to-arrive Ugarte, whose tough-tackling experience will make fairly the distinction, truly averaging a whopping 3.9 tackles in Ligue 1 final yr.

Liverpool’s Endo, conversely, averaged just one.7 tackles per Premier League match final yr and gained simply 41% of his floor duels, emphasising the necessity for an improve.

Ederson won’t decide to the extreme defensive output of Ugarte, profitable 2.3 tackles per league match final yr, however he additionally gained 56% of his floor duels and has a extra full type than Endo and Ugarte, who gained 53% of his floor duels final time period.

The Pink Devils incoming midfielder, certainly, ranks among the many high 6% of positional friends for move completion but in addition among the many backside 25% for progressive passes and the underside 25% for by means of balls per 90.

Maybe, then, it is no shock that credible hyperlinks of Liverpool’s curiosity in Ugarte this summer time haven’t surfaced, for he merely would not dovetail into Slot’s system.

As a substitute, Hughes and co might now transfer for the proper reply to the Manchester United goal, one who would truly elevate the Anfield first group up a number of notches, again towards the forefront of European soccer.