Liverpool have suffered something of a New Year’s hangover after such an incredible start to the season down under Arne slot machinewith a Premier League draw against Manchester United before a miserable 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Of course, Spurs still have to come to Anfield in the return leg at the start of February, but there’s no denying that Liverpool are looking ragged and tired right now.
Fortunately, the Reds have been drawn against Accrington Stanley in this weekend’s round of FA Cup fixtures, a big difference from traveling to the Emirates to face Arsenal in last year’s third-round tie.
Liverpool have taken pole position in the English top division and Champions League tables, with sights firmly set on lifting silverware come May, but after an uninspiring summer transfer window, it might be wise to show some ambition this winter.
Liverpool are considering their January signing statement
According to many sources including the infallible Paul Joyce of the TimesLiverpool are tracking the Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and could act this month if the player is made available. Napoli would be looking to raise €80m (around £68m) for the Georgia superstar.
Well, Paris Saint-Germain are currently in the driver’s seat, looking to complete the signing, so Liverpool will have to act quickly and decisively, but stranger things have happened.
Based on speculation, this budding saga mirrors that of Liverpool £49m signing of Luis Diaz in January 2022with the Porto star a summer target following Spurs’ attempts to complete a deal.
The same thing happened a year later Cody Steele when Manchester United prepared to make their move. As for Kvaratskhelia, 23, Liverpool are likely looking at one or both Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa as a consumable and some pieces would need to be shifted for this to work.
The thing to remember here is that Liverpool are always cool in the market, although they are also opportunistic and will pounce if the right opening presents itself. In that vein, “Kvaradona” isn’t the only ace who could be heading to Merseyside.
Liverpool are eyeing Premier League talent
According to The i PaperLiverpool are in the running for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez despite claims that FSG have frozen their interest amid competition from Manchester United.
Admittedly, a January deal for the Bournemouth left-back would be harder to come by, although Antoni Iraola has welcomed left-back Julio Soler, an apparent replacement, from Argentine side Lanus. for a fee of £11.5m this month.
With Andy Robertson On the decline, Liverpool need to sign a left-back this year and 21-year-old Kerkez would be the perfect player to complete a devastating left-back.
What Milos Kerkez would bring to Liverpool
Should Liverpool complete deals for Kvaratskhelia and Kerkez this year, Slot would have plenty of left-back to work with. The Napoli man’s directness and guile require a more agile partner behind him, making overlaps and creating chaos for opponents.
Without a doubt, Kerkez has a lot to work on, but after 20 appearances in the Premier Leaguefour goal contributions and five clean sheets this term, shows great promise.
Antonio Mango talent scout He hailed Kerkez as “one of the best young left-backs in football” following his meteoric rise on the South Coast, but if you want the opinion of a more prominent figure, check out Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher’s revelations below.
His athleticism and accurate crossing make him the perfect mobile full-back, and while there is something to be desired defensively, Kerkez has done more than enough at this early stage of his career to suggest he could be a top-flight player. level on the line. .
When he places his metrics against Robertson’s, the pressing need for something new is only highlighted, as the Scotland captain shows signs of wear and tear and slipping focus after such a long and organic and exhausting career under Jurgen Klopp.
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It would be a courtesy for Liverpool to welcome younger players into the fold, allowing Robertson to take a breather and shoulder less of the burden. It also works both ways, with Kerkez only a junior and perhaps benefiting from one of the game’s top modern left-backs to guide him to stardom.
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PL: Milos Kerkez (24/25) vs Andy Robertson (16/17 & 24/25) |
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|---|---|---|
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Match Stats* |
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|
Games (start) |
20 (20) |
18 (17) |
|
Goals |
1 |
0 |
|
It helps |
3 |
0 |
|
touches* |
54.6 |
68.2 |
|
Completion of pass |
82% |
89% |
|
Basic Passes* |
1.2 |
1.3 |
|
Ball recovery* |
4.5 |
3.9 |
|
dribble (success)* |
0.5 (53%) |
0.1 (33%) |
|
Tackles + Cuts* |
2.6 |
2.0 |
|
Ground duels (winners)* |
3.1 (59%) |
1.7 (53%) |
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Statistics via Sofascore |
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More energy and drive would only push Liverpool’s project forward, and that’s without even digging into the connection that could be made between Kerkez and Kvaratshelia.
Kvaratskhelia has been described as a “really hard” striker to keep at bay by Klopp after a Reds win over Napoli in the Champions League.
FBref records that Diaz is one of Kvaratskhelia’s most similar players statistically, both in technique and confidence in their passing, while also being a deadly carrier. The Georgian ranked in the top 1% of position peers last year for shots taken, top 9% for forward carries and top 17% for shot-making actions per 90.
While Klopp has left a talented group of players to work with the slot, it is patent that if market opportunities are not taken advantage of this year, Liverpool will suffer stagnation and allow their rivals to close the gap.
It would be great if both of these talents were signed, but then Anfield is a hotbed for progression to the elite, and now the club must show the ambition the title-chasing squad deserves.
2025-01-10 12:40:00
