if Liverpool We hope to challenge for the biggest prizes throughout the long and exciting period Arnie slot era, they will need to get busy in the transfer market this year.
Six clear points at the peak Premier League (With a game in hand), Liverpool are in an ideal position to lift the League Cup this year, especially with the likes of… Ryan Gravenberch Playing with such vitality and activity.
When the summer transfer window closed, Reds supporters were worried FSGLack of team activity, as Federico Chiesa was the only signing this summer.
Where was the defensive midfielder? What about the back line? Such concerns were substantial, but Liverpool held on through a combination of Slott's tactics and the revival of players like Gravenberch, who has been one of Europe's standout midfielders this season after sitting on the sidelines under Slott. Jurgen Kloppadministration.
He has started every single one of Liverpool's Premier League and UEFA Champions League However, the fixtures are at risk of burning. He needs competition.
Why does Ryan Gravenberch need to compete?
When Liverpool signed Gravenberch from Bayern Munich For a fee of £34m in August 2023was recognized as an opportunity to develop one of the most talented young midfielders in Europe. However, there was a warning that he was flattered to be deceived in Germany.
Ryan Grafenbrech in the English Premier League |
||
---|---|---|
Match statistics* |
23/24 |
24/25 |
Matches (start) |
26 (12) |
19 (19) |
Objectives |
1 |
0 |
Helps |
0 |
2 |
touches* |
28.8 |
71.5 |
Complete the pass |
83% |
90% |
Key passes* |
0.6 |
0.8 |
Evasion (success)* |
0.9 (51%) |
1.0 (58%) |
recover the ball* |
2.8 |
5.1 |
Interventions + Interceptions * |
1.5 |
3.7 |
Total duels (won)* |
2.8 (47%) |
5.3 (58%) |
Statistics via SofaScore (* = for each game) |
As you can see above, his tenure under Klopp's wing has been full of ebbs and flows, with flashes of quality appearing through his multi-functional appearances. However, there was a lot to work on, and much left to be desired.
He is now thriving as one of Europe's most admired stars. It's safe to say Liverpool would not have reached the peak of the 2024/25 season by half if they failed to adapt to the sixth round after Hughes failed to seal a deal for Real Sociedad's Martin Zobimendi.
Wataru Endo remains a diligent and loyal servant, but Slot clearly does not prefer him as a primary option. Gravenberch needs competition, and Liverpool may be poised to provide that, preventing fatigue and pushing the midfield dynamism forward further.
Liverpool are chasing the Prem midfielder
BBC Sport reported the news Liverpool are interested in signing the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomezwhose aggressive tackling style could be the sweet spot for Gravenberch's approach.
The Brazilian star has Its value was previously estimated at £50 million But it's worth every penny, especially when considering the extra dimension it will provide Liverpool's engine room.
Wolves are unlikely to sell the relegation-threatened midfielder mid-season, but if Liverpool lay the foundation now, there is every chance they will be wearing a red shirt by the start of next season.
Why does Liverpool want Joao Gomez?
Endo will do that for now, but the fact remains that Liverpool need more in the middle to ensure Gravenberch does not fall to the ground.
Wolves signed Gomez from Brazilian club Flamengo in January 2023 For an amount of 15 million British poundssince Make 70 impressions And scored eight contributions to the goals.
According to SovascorThe 23-year-old has completed 85% of his passes in the Premier League this season, averaging 3.2 tackles and 5.8 duels per game. He has found real form under recently sacked coach Gary O'Neill but is expected to play a prominent role during his months working under Vitor Pereira's wing.
Perhaps most curiously, Gomez is considered a similar player to Manchester United's Kobe Maino. According to FBref – Wouldn't it be a pleasure to enhance the talents of this midfielder, who might actually grow to outshine the Red Devils star?
Premier League 24/25 – Kobe Maino vs Joao Gomez |
||
---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) |
||
Objectives |
0.00 |
0.11 |
Helps |
0.00 |
0.06 |
Snapshot creation procedures |
1.97 |
1.68 |
Complete the pass |
86.6% |
84.2% |
Passes attempted |
48.4 |
47.3 |
Progressive passes |
3.93 |
5.37 |
Holds progressivism |
1.31 |
1.74 |
Successful turnouts |
1.64 |
0.73 |
Retrieve the ball |
5.08 |
5.54 |
Interventions + interceptions |
4.02 |
4.20 |
Statistics via FBref |
Maino is not a defensive midfielder, relying instead on his keen vision and astonishing intelligence to outsmart his rivals for positions and impress despite his recent troubles at Old Trafford.
You can say the same about Gravenberch, whose qualities were chosen in this term's slot design.
Likewise, Gomez is a combative central presence, possessing a powerful punch, but he is also an intellectual and energetic player, and seems to have the right attributes to be placed in Liverpool's starting XI.
It would be a surefire way to keep Liverpool running at full capacity next season, giving Gravenberch some respite from the endless football he has played under his compatriot's tutelage while keeping the overall flow of Liverpool's team intact, albeit with some minor differences. This would actually serve Slott's tactical mind well indeed.
He was hailed as a “warrior” and a “unique player” in terms of talent Scout Jacek CollegeGomez would be the perfect addition to a Liverpool side that continues to go from strength to strength under Slott.
If the Dutch coach has a weakness, it is his reluctance to make regular changes to his reliable starting lineup. Endo can be relied upon in the right circumstances, but Gomez can provide some punch for the Japanese while promoting ballplay and technical play as well.
Liverpool need to get that done, by bringing this Minoan talent into the fold.