The Reds are still in the running for this outstanding midfield player.
Although there were some bumps during Liverpool’s summer transfer window, the team that was in decline has been reshaped and revitalised by the large-scale midfield departure and subsequent influx.
The Reds struggled and appeared hopeless during the previous season due to severe hardships, and their fifth-place Premier League result was a fitting representation of their wretched play.v
After his team lost 4-1 to Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp even acknowledged that he might be fired in April if the bad results continue into the 2023–2024 campaign. It would have been a humiliating way to cap off an incredible career.
As they say, “Out with the old, in with the new.”Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and Fabinho were among the players let go, and an intriguing new crop of midfield talent has so far instilled energy and excellence in the team to support Klopp’s philosophy.
The campaign’s outstanding start suggests that prosperity will return once the last traces of enervation are eliminated; however, if transfer business in 2022 had not been so narrow-minded, it’s possible that all of last term’s problems were avoided.
Despite clear signs of wear and tear, Arthur Melo was the only midfield addition made during the window. A panic buy on loan, the Brazilian performed horribly, seeing just 13 minutes of action.
The failure to sign Aurelien Tchouameni, who signed a €100 million (£85 million) deal to join Real Madrid, after Klopp and company searched in vain for the ideal addition, set up the Anfield team for disappointment.
Aurelien Tchouameni transfer news from Liverpool
Liverpool fought hard to sign Tchouameni last year; Fabrizio Romano even acknowledged that they were among the front-runners for the highly-coveted player.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, however, always looked to have the lead in the race and indeed triumphed, compounding Liverpool’s upset after defeating them in the Champions League final.
The 28-cap France international is still wanted by Anfield, according to Mundo Deportivo, despite Arsenal’s growing interest. A move would likely not happen anytime soon, though.
Despite Liverpool’s recent success in rebuilding the midfield, a specialist No. 6 is still needed, and Tchouameni appears to be the ideal choice in the long run, with Wataru Endo not being regarded as the long-term, first-choice option.
The numbers that indicate Tchouameni would be a wise addition to Liverpool
Tchouameni may have felt the weight of joining what is arguably the most prestigious club in the world after paying such a high fee to join the Santiago Bernabeu team, and he may not have reached his full potential.
The star, who earns £205k a week, participated in 50 matches across all competitions and won the Copa del Rey. However, he was rested during the Champions League knockout round and both of the cup’s semifinal matches against Barcelona.
Though he wasn’t exactly given the lead during the most important games, Tchouameni has improved this season and seems to be a valuable asset.
According to Sofascore, the holding midfielder has actually won 80% of his dribbles and 70% of his duels in La Liga this season. In contrast, Manchester City’s Rodri has won 63% of his duels in the Premier League. The player has completed 93% of his passes, made 1.7 tackles, and recovered 3.6 balls per game.
In terms of pass completion, passes attempted, interceptions, aerial wins, clearances, and tackles per ninety, the 23-year-old is among the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the previous year, according to FBref. He also ranks among the top 7% and 5%, respectively.
Considered “world-class” by Stefan Bienkowski of Transfermarkt, he is an exceptional defensive force in the centre who has already made 14 appearances for his elite team this season.
His recent foot injury will probably keep him out of action for the rest of 2023, so it will be interesting to see if Madrid can continue their strong play without him.
Every time he plays, it seems like he gets better, and if Liverpool could make a transfer that could top anything they’ve done recently, Klopp’s team would be at the top for years to come.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined the Premier League team this summer and has been positively amazing in the centre of the park, could even be surpassed by an acquisition.
How Szoboszlai and Aurelien Tchouameni are comparable
Though there have been a few flimsy claims of tougher competition in the Premier League following Szoboszlai’s £60 million move from RB Leipzig to Liverpool in July, the natural technical ability is superior to most in Europe.
The 36-cap Hungary captain led his team to a second consecutive DFB Pokal trophy last season, recording ten goals and thirteen assists in all competitions. Journalist Marcel Moeller called him a “generational talent” as a result of his achievements.
Szoboszlai has been instrumental in Liverpool’s comeback and is expected to continue to dominate at the centre of the Anfield pitch for many years to come. He is prolific and potent, energetic and elegant.With two goals and two assists in 13 games, the 22-year-old is excelling under Klopp’s tutelage. Using 88% of his passes completed, he has averaged 2.5 key passes, 1.4 tackles, and 7.6 ball recoveries per game in the Premier League, according to Sofascore.
According to TNT pundit Joe Cole, James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur is arguably the “signing of the summer” because he completes 85% of his passes, generates 3.2 key passes per game, but also wins 1.4 tackles and 2.2 ball recoveries per game.
Similar players, Szoboszlai is flourishing as the middle’s engine; he’s much more powerful and enthusiastic, and despite Maddison’s strength, not many Liverpool fans are willing to trade.
It’s quite amazing to consider that Klopp might have a midfield star of higher calibre than the Hungarian if the Merseysiders manage to complete the elusive transfer for Tchouameni.
Although Tchouameni is a different type of midfielder and comparisons between the two should not be made based solely on their disparate metrics, the former Monaco player has a significant presence on the pitch.
His injury has dealt a severe blow to Real Madrid’s season, as the team has gone undefeated when he has started. If he were to start as Liverpool’s anchor, the team would reach new heights.
The player was previously praised as “out of this world” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and Tchouameni and Szoboszlai together in the midfield would truly have Liverpool flying high.
Klopp will be hoping desperately that one day a chance to sign the Los Blancos player arises, capping off his prolific crop.
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