Arne Slott relieved the strain final weekend when he led his Liverpool workforce to victory over West Ham United, however in a number of days’ time the Reds will host Sunderland earlier than touring to Elland Street to face Leeds United, which can present a greater barometer of this workforce’s degree.
The strain has elevated additional in latest weeks, however who among the many red-hot persuasion can object to this scrutiny? The Premier League champions suffered a stoop, shedding 9 of their 12 video games in all competitions, with Anfield reeling after a collection of defeats by Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven after the November worldwide break.
It is clear that Liverpool have misplaced their means, however that does not imply they cannot get again on observe. A summer time of file spending has made the Reds a really high-quality workforce, however it’s true that Liverpool are an unbalanced workforce.
Sporting director Richard Hughes could need to dig into the switch window once more in a month’s time.
Liverpool’s January switch plans
Regardless of spending over £400m this summer time, it is unbelievable that Liverpool must work on so many areas throughout their squad within the slot. This implies Liverpool are in want of a centre-back, with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo rising as a probable candidate to strengthen their entrance line this January.
Nonetheless, with Marc Gehi out of contract on the finish of the season and Manchester Metropolis additionally in talks to signal Semenyo, FSG could wish to look elsewhere.
And in keeping with Caught Offside, Juventus star Kenan Yildiz has been shortlisted to interchange Semenho after a rocky begin to the Italian marketing campaign.
A 20-year-old participant does not come low cost. Juventus are unwilling to promote the attacking midfielder, who’s considered one in every of Serie A’s brightest younger stars, however a coordinated method from FSG might assist shift some weight.
Chelsea are additionally , with the Previous Woman seeking to financial institution a examine for €100m (which interprets to £88m) for his or her prized participant.
Why Liverpool need Kenan Yildiz
Yildiz could also be younger, however he’s “already top-of-the-line left wingers on this planet”, in keeping with one Serie A scout, and in addition has a a lot larger ceiling than the 25-year-old Semenho.
Semenyo has been the speak of the city within the Premier League, however after such a robust begin to the season, he has didn’t discover a purpose in 5 video games.
Yildiz, against this, has expanded on his output, changing each photographs in Juve’s latest 2-1 league win over Cagliari.
He’s a ferocious runner and has sharp playmaking abilities. Over the previous yr, Yildiz ranks within the high 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s high 5 leagues for shot-creation actions and within the high 12% for profitable take-ons per 90 factors, in keeping with data-driven web site FBref.
A profitable take-on is recorded when a participant, whereas nonetheless in possession of the ball, immediately carries the ball and defeats his opponent.
On this regard, he has what it takes to match Semenyo’s athleticism and dynamism. This might make him top-of-the-line gamers within the Premier League.
Furthermore, Yildiz has solely missed one large likelihood in Italy’s high flight, scoring 4 objectives.
League Stats 25/26 – Kenan Yildiz vs Antoine Semenyo | ||
|---|---|---|
Match statistics (* per match) | star | Semenyo |
Match (begin) | 12(11) | 12(12) |
the purpose | 4 | 6 |
help | 3 | 3 |
contact* | 52.4 | 49.6 |
Variety of photographs (on the right track)* | 2.4 (1.1) | 2.2 (1.2) |
Precise path* | 27.1 (85%) | 19.9 (77%) |
Alternatives created* | 2.3 | 1.3 |
dribble* | 1.5 | 1.8 |
acquire* | 3.7 | 5.2 |
Sort out + Interception* | 0.9 | 1.8 |
Win a duel* | 4.2 | 6.3 |
Knowledge by way of Sofascore | ||
From a statistical perspective, Semenyo would have had a greater season thus far, however information can solely inform you a lot in soccer, and Yildiz has clearly made unbelievable progress at such a younger age and is now on the verge of building himself as top-of-the-line gamers within the enterprise.
Within the eyes of analyst Ben Mattinson, he’s a “100 per cent celebrity” and a really dynamic and thrilling participant on the left wing. His dueling success is but to match that of Semenyo, one of the crucial combative large forwards within the Premier League, however he might far surpass the Ghanaian worldwide in just some years.
It stays to be seen whether or not Liverpool will select to spend practically £100m on an up-and-coming expertise, however Yildiz has already confirmed himself match for the world stage.
Semenho could be an important signing, however the Turkish winger has one thing particular that implies he has the potential to turn into top-of-the-line gamers within the enterprise.
Higher transfer than Semenyo: Liverpool launch bid for £53m ‘machine’
Liverpool and FSG are contemplating numerous positions forward of the January switch window.
