Although Liverpool have strengthened effectively in the summertime switch window, Arne Slot possible wants extra elements if he is to steer his facet to glory as soon as once more subsequent season.
The Anfield facet received the Premier League final season after Jurgen Klopp stepped down from his iconic put up. Nobody thought this comparatively unknown coach from Feyenoord may carry the burden of a legend’s departure, however Slot has proved himself the proper man to steer this membership, championing the virtues which can be rooted so deep within the Merseyside soil.
And he is been rewarded within the switch market. FSG have smashed Liverpool’s switch report to signal Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for an preliminary £100m determine, which may rise to a British-record £116m.
Slot additionally has a brand new full-back pairing to work with, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez each impressing throughout Liverpool’s emotional pre-season outing in opposition to Preston North Finish.
Nonetheless, Liverpool’s head coach could effectively really feel that there is nonetheless one thing lacking in his rearguard, with the Merseysiders’ curiosity in a brand new centre-back effectively documented.
The most recent on Liverpool’s seek for a defender
Again in Might, Liverpool’s chiefs have been engaged on a deal to signal Dean Huijsen, 20, after his spectacular breakout yr with Bournemouth within the Premier League.
The issue was, most high-profile golf equipment throughout the continent wished the Spain worldwide, and that is a listing which included Actual Madrid, who certainly received the race after activating his £50m launch clause.
This in itself is not detrimental to the Liverpool trigger, however now that Jarell Quansah has accomplished a £35m switch to Bayer Leverkusen, it feels vital that the Reds push forward and signal a substitute.
Nicely, FSG have gotten one in thoughts all proper.
Based on experiences relayed by The Mirror, Liverpool are making ready to launch a £40m bid for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, trying to benefit from the participant’s contract scenario, coming into the ultimate yr of his deal at Selhurst Park.
Guehi is known to favour a transfer to Anfield over Arsenal and Newcastle, although he needs assurances over his taking part in time.
On condition that the England worldwide, 25, is prepared to run his contract down if push involves shove, this might show to be a fragile scenario, with Slot little question cautious about coming into the forthcoming marketing campaign with restricted choices in defence.
Why Liverpool need Marc Guehi
Guehi is a strong and dependable defender who has constructed himself up over quite a lot of years at Crystal Palace, becoming a member of from Chelsea in a £18m deal 4 years in the past.
His rounded technical qualities and misleading aggression counsel he can be excellent for this high-flying Liverpool facet, and given his two-footedness and management abilities, he would possibly even be the person to succeed Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk is among the biggest defenders of his era, instrumental in constructing Klopp’s dynasty at Liverpool. To interchange him can be a frightening thought for any positional peer, however Guehi has what it takes, having been hailed as a “monster in defence” by reporter Bobby Manzi.
Guehi has spent a number of years honing his abilities within the Premier League, and now he is able to take the leap to the very best stage. Van Dijk did one thing related.
Nonetheless, one may truly say that Guehi is extra completed than the Liverpool skipper was throughout his Southampton days. In spite of everything, Guehi captained the Eagles to their unimaginable FA Cup triumph, defeating Manchester Metropolis within the Might closing at Wembley.
However taking a look at their respective performances throughout the previous time period within the Premier League, it is clear that Guehi nonetheless has a stage or two to scale earlier than he can declare to be in the identical ballpark as Van Dijk.
Prem 24/25 – Guehi vs Van Dijk | ||
|---|---|---|
Stats (* per sport) | Guehi | Van Dijk |
Matches (begins) | 34 (34) | 37 (37) |
Objectives | 3 | 3 |
Assists | 2 | 1 |
Clear sheets | 11 | 14 |
Touches* | 64.9 | 90.4 |
Go completion | 84% | 92% |
Key passes* | 0.5 | 0.3 |
Dribbles* | 0.4 | 0.1 |
Ball recoveries* | 4.3 | 3.1 |
Tackles + interceptions* | 2.6 | 2.5 |
Clearances* | 4.6 | 5.1 |
Duels (received)* | 4.9 (59%) | 4.7 (69%) |
Errors made | 2 | 4 |
Information through Sofascore | ||
However, little question, the seeds are there, and two seasons alongside the legend may show to sharpen his instruments to the keenest edge, permitting him to turn out to be a celebrity on Merseyside.
The Palace man is technically sound and artistic moreover. Furthermore, he would emulate Van Dijk in arriving from a divisional rival decrease down the ladder, with the Netherlands captain becoming a member of Klopp’s trigger from Southampton approach again in January 2018 for a £75m payment – a world report for a defender on the time.
Guehi’s ball-playing sport, truly, is nearly underrated, for he isn’t jsut assured however exceptional in his passing and motion, making issues occur as he coolly collects and picks out forward-running teammates, be that with a swept go or by dribbling upfield and taking part in a tidy layoff.
As per FBref, the one-time Chelsea prospect ranked among the many prime 12% of centre-backs throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for shot-creating actions and the highest 2% for by means of balls, illustrating that Van Dijk-esque high quality that may show so helpful for Slot.
Shot-creating actions are items of play that result in a shot. These embrace moments comparable to a go, take-on or foul being drawn.
However pedantry issues for a thoughts as analytical as Michael Edwards’. Guehi has been described as “a type of versatile centre-backs who can play either side equally as comfortably” by analyst Ben Mattinson, and his propensity for the left facet solely fuels the argument that he may very well be Slot’s new model of Van Dijk.
Van Dijk is irreplaceable, however in Guehi, Liverpool would possibly simply signal the closest factor to a successor potential. He is dynamic, combative and commanding, embodying the qualities required of a celebrity centre-half at Anfield.
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