The idea of “successful” a switch window as a rule boils all the way down to what number of gamers a workforce has signed. That being mentioned, Liverpool may make a real declare to the crown with their summer season enterprise. Shedding Trent Alexander-Arnold damage, although to take action to ensure that the right-back to take part within the Membership World Cup softened the blow of a possible free exit.
Nonetheless, Jeremie Frimpong is a wonderful successor at Anfield, the Dutchman prepared to barrel upfield with no second’s hesitation to assist stretch defences. Milos Kerkez, even at 21 years of age, is a Premier League skilled left-back that ought to, in the long run, show an improve on Andy Robertson.
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from Bayer Leverkusen, whereas Hugo Ekitike is a wonderful choose up from Eintracht Frankfurt. Whereas not but the completed product, the Frenchman bolsters Liverpool’s frontline. And even then, the Merseyside giants need to strengthen additional in assault as they proceed to push for . Clearly, Liverpool should not content material with simply the Premier League title.
That being mentioned, they continue to be slightly prime heavy. One other central midfielder would in all probability be welcomed however the elephant within the room is on the coronary heart of the defence. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate make the most effective centre-back partnerships within the division, but the previous turned 34 slightly over a month in the past and the latter is out of contract subsequent summer season. Actual Madrid, like they have been with Trent, are sniffing across the Frenchman and would face competitors from PSG within the race for his companies. The sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen limits Slot’s centre-back choices additional.
And but with lower than three weeks to go till deadline day, Liverpool are lastly making their strikes out there in a bid to future-proof their backline. Marc Guehi has been on Liverpool’s radar with the champions lengthy linked with a transfer for the Crystal Palace captain. A Premier League skilled centre-back who has drawn widespread adulation for his showings for each membership and nation, it’s no surprise that Guehi has emerged as a severe goal for Arne Slot’s facet.
However it’s the information of a transfer for Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni that has raised eyebrows amongst supporters, with the Italian set for a transfer to Anfield. Leoni is probably not a family identify on these shores, however Liverpool’s push for the 18-year-old Parma defender shouldn’t come as a shock.
Liverpool wish to signal defender Giovanni Leoni (Getty Photos)
As former Parma supervisor Cristian Chivu prioritised a ‘defence first’ gameplan for the Serie A facet final season, an strategy that had the specified impact as they efficiently beat the drop by 5 factors, Leoni nonetheless showcased all of the qualities of a modern-day centre-back. Standing at 6ft 5in, Leoni returned a stable 63 per cent aerial success fee.
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As well as, he managed a modest 4.6 clearances per 90 in his debut Serie A season, pointing to a proactive strategy to defending for a Parma facet that returned the fourth lowest possession common (44.2 per cent) within the division. Chivu’s facet, who at occasions operated in a three-man backline, have been completely happy to take a seat again and take in strain earlier than hitting opponents on the break, and this noticed them rating the sixth most counter-attacking targets within the division.
What could have caught the attention could have been Leoni’s qualities on the ball. Even in a Parma facet that largely operated on the backfoot, the Italian, who’s snug with each toes, averaged 46.3 passes per 90, the third most of these to have made greater than 10 appearances for Parma in Serie A final season, whereas an 88.7 per cent move success fee was additionally third utilizing the identical parameters. In a workforce designed to line up in a low block, this was a commendable return and one which’ll solely enhance in a facet that dominates in the identical vein as Liverpool.
That’s to not say Leoni is the completed product – he got here near committing as many fouls (11) as he made tackles (14) within the 2024/25 Serie A marketing campaign – and his restricted minutes at senior stage means there’s solely a small pattern measurement to work with. What’s extra, Slot asks loads of his centre-backs with Van Dijk (79) and Konate (66.5) rating first and second, respectively, for passes per 90 for Liverpool final season. The towering Dutchman, in the meantime, completed the marketing campaign second for correct lengthy balls per 90 (4.2), a major rise in Leoni’s one per 90 in Italy’s prime tier final time period.
Leoni, although, confirmed loads of promise in his maiden Serie A marketing campaign not solely in his on-ball capability however his off-the-ball work too. He wasn’t overawed by the event having comfortably handled powerhouse strikers Romelu Lukaku and Dusan Vlahovic, showcasing his spectacular higher physique power that can solely develop as he grows. The way forward for Liverpool’s defence is in very succesful arms.
