Liverpool’s begin to the 2024/25 marketing campaign underneath new boss Arne Slot has been nothing wanting exceptional, exceeding past all expectations after his arrival.
The Dutchman had the massive process of taking up from iconic boss Jürgen Klopp, however he’s taken to the position at Anfield like a duck to water and made a direct influence within the Premier League and Champions League.
The Reds have gained ten of their 12 matches in England’s top-flight, while having a 100% report in Europe forward of tonight’s conflict with Spanish giants Actual Madrid.
Many gamers have starred throughout the opening months of the 46-year-old’s reign, together with Mohamed Salah who has registered 22 aim contributions in his 18 outings this marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, the Egyptian isn’t the one first-team member to have caught the attention in current weeks, with quite a few others contributing to their spectacular begin.
Liverpool’s present midfield choices underneath Slot
Ryan Gravenberch arrived in Merseyside from Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich throughout the summer season of 2023, seeking to present elevated competitors in Klopp’s midfield.
He was solely a bit half participant underneath the previous boss final marketing campaign, beginning simply 12 league outings within the entirety of his debut yr in English soccer.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old has already matched such a tally underneath Slot in 2024/25, working in a deep-lying position on the base of the midfield alongside numerous totally different companions.
Curtis Jones has staked his declare for a daily starter in current matches, beginning every of the final three outings, claiming an help for Luis Diaz within the earlier Champions League conflict with Bayer Leverkusen.
He’s additionally discovered the again of the following as soon as throughout the present marketing campaign, scoring the very important profitable aim towards Chelsea at Anfield, serving to the membership preserve their spectacular league type that sees them sit eight factors clear after 12 matches.
Such type has seen him dislodge big-money additions Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from their beginning roles, a sign as to how influential he’s been underneath Slot.
Jones’ subsequent type has seen him be included in Lee Carsley’s England squad in current months, even scoring on his first begin within the victory away at Greece earlier this month.
Nonetheless, both of the pair might discover themselves again on the substitutes bench within the subsequent couple of months ought to the membership full a deal for one elite-level midfielder in January.
Liverpool plotting transfer for £60m star
In line with CaughtOffside, Liverpool are battling Arsenal over a January transfer to signal Actual Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with the Premier League pair each prepared to supply round £50m for his providers.
It wouldn’t be the Reds’ first rodeo in attempting to signal the Spanish worldwide, after activating his £60m launch throughout the summer season, with the 25-year-old deciding to remain put with the LaLiga aspect.
Nonetheless, the winter window might produce a contemporary alternative for the Reds, with the report claiming the Spanish aspect are open to permitting Zubimendi to go away the membership, if their £60m aksing worth is met.
He could be a wonderful pickup for Slot’s aspect, probably being their very own model of famous person Rodri who claimed the Ballon d’Or in current weeks, with the likeness between the pair having been illustrated by Spain boss, Luis de la Fuente:
“He is an awesome participant. I’ve already mentioned that for me—you recognize—that he is probably the greatest, the second greatest on this planet together with Rodrigo [Rodri].”
When evaluating the pair’s respective stats from the earlier marketing campaign, Zubimendi has truly matched or bettered his compatriot in quite a few key areas.
|
How Zubimendi compares to Rodri within the league (2023/24) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Zubimendi |
Rodri |
|
Video games performed |
31 |
34 |
|
Minutes performed |
2654 |
2931 |
|
Shot-on-target accuracy |
50% |
36% |
|
Proportion of dribbles tackled |
55% |
48% |
|
Blocks made |
1.1 |
1 |
|
Interceptions |
1.3 |
0.8 |
|
Take-ons accomplished |
67% |
66% |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
The “world-class” Sociedad star, as dubbed by former teammate Kieran Tierney, accomplished extra tackles and interceptions per 90 final season, demonstrating his defensive qualities on the base of midfield.
His talent set would undoubtedly enhance the choices at Slot’s disposal, however it might see both Jones or Gravenberch lose their beginning position regardless of their spectacular begin to 2024/25.
Zubimendi would permit the Reds to have a firmer grip on their title ambitions after the beautiful current type, edging themselves nearer to a second Premier League title since its formation in 1992.
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Anfield welcomes Actual Madrid within the Champions League on Wednesday night.
