Liverpool in talks to signal £45m star after Wirtz

Good time to be a Liverpool fan, ay. Arne Slot‘s aspect lifted the Premier League trophy after drawing with Crystal Palace at Anfield, ending a memorable marketing campaign.
FSG can be delighted, however they will not need this triumph to face as a flash within the pan. As a substitute, footballing chief Michael Edwards has been tasked with constructing a brand new dynasty on Merseyside, and sweeping modifications are anticipated forward of the summer time switch window.
Properly, greater than that. The cogs are whirring away, offers firmly within the pipeline. Liverpool might need been compelled right into a poignant divorce with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will be a part of Actual Madrid on a free switch, however frustration has been assuaged by the flurry of exercise in latest weeks.
Modifications aren’t simply anticipated; Liverpool are performing with the incisiveness of champions.
Liverpool closing on thrilling offers
If you have not been dwelling underneath a rock, you will remember Liverpool are closing on the audacious signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz for a club-record charge.
Wirtz, 22, received the Bundesliga Participant of the Season for 2023/24 and has been described as a “generational expertise” whereas at it by sports activities media skilled Cristian Nyari, and Liverpool have crushed Manchester Metropolis and Bayern Munich to his signature.
It isn’t but set in stone, however the Reds have backed up their title-winning season with a monstrous gambit, and earlier than the switch window’s even opened its stalls.
And that is not all. Jeremie Frimpong has accomplished his medical, certainly simply days away from finishing his switch to Merseyside, the Werkself right-sider able to hyperlink again up with Wirtz.
Trent may be leaving, however FSG have acted with intent to signal two gamers who, mixed, exchange the vice-captain’s one-of-a-kind abilities and would possibly even transcend them.
However there’s extra. Actually, Fabrizio Romano has chimed in to disclose talks are advancing with one more sought-after star.
Liverpool advancing talks for an additional signing
As per Romano, Liverpool are nonetheless engaged in talks with Bournemouth for Milos Kerkez, who’s “very eager” on shifting to Anfield this summer time.
The Hungarian, 21, is predicted to fetch a charge of round £45m, although Liverpool will certainly need this whittled down.
Slot has wished a brand new left-back signed, given the 31-year-old Andy Robertson is on the decline and Kostas Tsimikas, his deputy, is obtainable for switch.
Favourites to get the deal achieved, with Man Metropolis and Actual Madrid additionally registering their curiosity in latest weeks, Liverpool are pulling out all of the stops to reward Slot for his unimaginable feat, and Kerkez would possibly simply show to be an important signing of the lot.
Why Liverpool need Milos Kerkez
Now, that may look like one thing of a daring declare. Let’s make it clear: Wirtz is likely one of the finest attacking midfielders on the earth, and can value in extra of €100m (£85m), although not as a lot as some exorbitant preliminary claims.
He is a marquee signing, and that is a truth, however Kerkez is a participant whose signing must be agreed upon if Liverpool are to make headway and higher this Premier League-winning marketing campaign.
Definitely, Kerkez may show to be the extra transformative addition to Liverpool’s flanks.
Although Frimpong will convey a singular fashion to the best aspect of Virgil van Dijk‘s backline, the Dutchman will discover himself jockeying for a primary berth with Conor Bradley, who signed a brand new long-term contract with the Anfield aspect final week and is likely one of the most fun younger full-backs within the sport.
Nevertheless, Robertson has been frequently criticised for his athletic regression, his lapses in focus. Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher acknowledged the “absolute legend” final month however went on to stipulate how he’s “hanging on in each sport now.”
Kerkez may dynamise Liverpool’s defence, present a worthy inheritor for the approaching age. Pundit Izzy Christensen has hailed the “machine” for his function at Bournemouth this time period, and he is certainly maintained a excessive degree that has outstripped that of Robertson.
Milos Kerkez vs Andy Robertson within the Prem (24/25) |
||
---|---|---|
Match Stats (*per sport) |
||
Matches (begins) |
38 (38) |
33 (29) |
Targets |
2 |
0 |
Assists |
5 |
1 |
Touches* |
59.6 |
64.5 |
Go completion |
80% |
88% |
Large possibilities created |
8 |
7 |
Ball recoveries* |
4.4 |
3.2 |
Dribbles* |
0.6 |
0.2 |
Tackles + interceptions* |
2.6 |
1.8 |
Clearances* |
2.6 |
1.3 |
Floor duels (received)* |
3.3 (61%) |
1.6 (52%) |
Stats through Sofascore |
Although Robertson remains to be extra exact on the ball, that is largely right down to a tactical strategy from Slot, which may very well be inculcated easily into Kerkez’s personal sport, ought to he signal this summer time.
One factor’s for sure, Kerkez can be a large improve, and a extra vital signing than Frimpong apart from. That is to not the 24-year-old Leverkusen star’s discredit, however slightly illustrates the place the main focus lies at Liverpool.
There is a completeness in regards to the Hungary worldwide which suggests he may very well be the archetypal trendy full-back, whereas Frimpong, although fleet-footed and electrical on the ball, has drawn criticism for his defensive work at instances.
Xabi Alonso’s man solely received 45% of his floor duels within the Bundesliga final season, as per Sofascore, albeit fielded in a extra superior place than your typical vast defender.
In fact, a possible by-product of that’s that Frimpong lacks the defensive nous that, for instance, Kerkez would have, for he has merely not loved the repetitive absorption of such expertise in recent times, having been caught within the attacking half, able to explode and surge ahead.
Liverpool are forging forward with a deal for Wirtz, and rightly so. However sporting director Richard Hughes has obtained his palms in a number of pies and he is juggling the accountability expertly. Barring one thing drastic and deflating, all three thrilling abilities can be enjoying in Liverpool pink subsequent yr.
Does it actually even matter which one’s an important, if that’s certainly the case?

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