Liverpool are in desperate need of a midfielder, that much is obvious. The trouble is, they keep missing out on their top transfer targets.
In the last week alone, they have lost out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea, which leaves them in a bit of an awkward position.
Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace are both on Liverpool’s shortlist and it was reported on Thursday morning that they have bid £16m for Stuttgart’s 30-year-old Japan midfielder Wataru Endo.
But is he the right man for the job? i has commissioned data experts Analytics FC to use their Transfer Lab tool to answer who is best suited to fill Liverpool’s No 6 role.
They built a profile for a defensive midfielder based around defensive metrics and ball progression and added in carrying ability and trained on Europe’s top five leagues and South America’s top two.
Alex Stewart, the company’s head of editorial, explains the top five picks:
Five wildcard options for Liverpool
Martin Zubimendi – Real Sociedad
The 24-year-old is a key player in a superb Real Sociedad midfield. He constantly makes himself available to receive, shuttling between the centre backs before progressing the ball forwards effortlessly.
Ibrahim Sangare – PSV
Data nerds have loved Sangare since his Toulouse days for his combination of high-end defensive output and his press-resistant carrying. Question marks over whether he could step up to the Premier League.
Rade Krunic – AC Milan
A sensible, short-term option. Sometimes you want to be super-safe, a player who will not set the world on fire but who will facilitate everyone else being exciting and creative. Krunic is that player.
Matheus Martinelli – Fluminense
One for the future? Fluminense play the most interesting football in South America and 21-year-old Martinelli is a huge part of their complex midfield connections and incisive build-up play.
Ezequiel Fernandez – Boca Juniors
A long shot? Left-footed Fernandez is already one of the most complete defensive midfielders in Argentina’s top flight at one of its most prestigious clubs. A player to watch in terms of making the step up.
Read more: How Liverpool’s reputation as Premier League’s savviest recruiters has been shredded
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/bM1m9jg
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