Let’s all simply relax a minute, why do not we? To start with, let’s be candid. Liverpool haven’t loved the switch window that supporters hoped for, with gaps remaining in defence and midfield.
Martin Zubimendi was the person for the position at No. 6, completely press-resistant and tailored for Arne Slot’s control-focused system, however regardless of giving Richard Hughes the indication he would transfer to Anfield, Actual Sociedad’s ferocious efforts to maintain him within the Basque Nation prevailed.
The Athletic’s James Pearce has since issued the solemn assertion that Liverpool merely did not really feel there was an acceptable various in the marketplace. Spending for the sake of spending isn’t FSG’s approach, has by no means been, and prudence could but show to be the best resolution.
Ryan Gravenberch has proven that he is apt to achieve the deep-sitting midfield place, with promising performances to begin the season. It is an inner answer however had been the 22-year-old introduced on this month, followers would rejoice at Liverpool’s innovation and ambition.
Ryan Gravenberch: Premier League Stats |
||
---|---|---|
Stats (*per sport) |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Matches (begins) |
26 (12) |
2 (2) |
Targets |
1 |
0 |
Assists |
0 |
0 |
Touches* |
28.8 |
80.5 |
Move completion |
83% |
90% |
Key passes* |
0.6 |
0.00 |
Dribbles* |
0.9 |
1.0 |
Ball recoveries* |
2.8 |
5.0 |
Tackles + interceptions* |
1.5 |
4.5 |
Whole duels received (%) |
2.8 (47%) |
5.0 (50%) |
Stats by way of Sofascore |
Is it good? No, however Liverpool are in a transitional season which will but carry silverware via the doorways. And anyway, Liverpool accomplished their assault with the switch of Federico Chiesa – and what a signing at that.
Why Liverpool signed Federico Chiesa
Many would level to Liverpool’s sole summer time signing as a big gamble, however Anfield bosses would stress that the shrewd deal is an emphatic transfer for a small price – an preliminary £10m, to be precise.
Versatile and hard-working, the Italy worldwide has myriad qualities that may improve the creativity and fluency of Slot’s system, although the 26-year-old leaves his homeland with a shoddy harm document that has wrecked a lot of his progress.
Federico Chiesa: Profession Stats by Place |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Place |
Apps |
Targets |
Assists |
G/A Price |
Proper winger |
130 |
42 |
22 |
0.49 |
Left winger |
72 |
15 |
16 |
0.43 |
Attacking midfield |
71 |
15 |
10 |
0.35 |
Centre-forward |
17 |
3 |
4 |
0.41 |
Stats by way of Transfermarkt |
Following Liverpool’s signing, Jamie Carragher advised Sky Sports activities Information that Chiesa was a “£70m participant” again in 2021, having starred at Euro 2020, enjoying an instrumental position in his nation’s victorious marketing campaign.
He was additionally hailed for his “completely world-class” performances by journalist Zach Lowy throughout that interval, and can hope to recapture that heady kind, now at Liverpool.
Furthermore, Chiesa will hope that he has put his harm points to mattress after that includes on the entrance and centre of Juventus’ 2023/24 time period, beginning 25 Serie A fixtures and scoring ten instances in all competitions.
Ought to his health maintain up, it is laborious to think about that Liverpool have landed something aside from a masterful piece of enterprise, bringing depth and dynamism to a staff that already boasted considered one of Europe’s superlative frontlines.
Mohamed Salah is the cream of the crop, however he isn’t the one celebrity within the ranks, with Darwin Nunez trying to increase his sport and stay as much as that club-record price ticket, rising to £85m, that noticed him introduced in from Benfica two years in the past.
Why Liverpool have hit gold on Darwin Nunez
An attention-grabbing striker, Nunez. Jurgen Klopp fell in love with the Uruguayan’s footballing means through the 2021/22 season and orchestrated his switch following an unbelievable season with Benfica that noticed him rating 34 objectives from 41 matches, together with two in opposition to Liverpool, two in opposition to Barcelona and yet one more in opposition to Bayern Munich within the Champions League.
He is solely scored 33 objectives throughout 97 appearances since becoming a member of the Merseysiders, lacking not a lot a list as a thick tome of probabilities within the Premier League – 47, actually, regardless of scoring simply 20 instances. That is not a superb capturing price.
Nonetheless, Nunez is perhaps wasteful in entrance of purpose however it’s one thing that, if mounted, would place him among the many best forwards on this planet: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
His underlying numbers converse volumes. As per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the many prime 1% of forwards throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for photographs taken, the highest 4% for assists, the highest 13% for shot-creating actions, the highest 15% for progressive carries and the highest 2% for touches within the attacking penalty space per 90.
His positional worth, his actions and his limitless vitality tank counsel that Liverpool may but hit the jackpot on their maverick, who may flourish inside Slot’s ball-playing type of soccer.
Nunez has performed a bit-part position all through the primary month of Slot’s reign, however count on massive issues down the road. He is a top-class ahead and reportedly even attracted curiosity from Arsenal within the late stage of the switch window.
Certainly, in response to Spanish sources, Nunez was on the Gunners’ radar this week, with Mikel Arteta and his switch staff mulling over finishing a surprising £73m switch.
This might have been a deal that will have despatched shockwaves via English soccer, however alas, nothing concrete materialised and the £140k-per-week expertise stays at Liverpool.
Nevertheless it does function a marker of the participant’s talent set, and the excessive regard by which he’s held by Europe’s elite. Chiesa, for instance, is a superb participant however his £13m switch to Liverpool signifies that he is presently price far lower than the South American star – with CIES Soccer Observatory noting that he might be valued at as a lot as €111m (£94m).
There’s completely no motive why the respective gamers can’t strike a formidable partnership at Liverpool, with Chiesa even rating among the many prime 1% of forwards throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for shot-creating actions per 90 (FBref).
Will Liverpool hit gold with their Italian addition? Solely time will inform. However for Nunez, regardless of his foibles, Liverpool have already got, for he provides one thing completely different to a vibrant frontline and is price fairly the gorgeous penny – now think about a world the place he solves his ball-striking quandary.