With the additions of Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, Liverpool wasted no time in beginning to rebuild their midfield. However, a new development has emerged regarding another potential transfer target.
How far has Liverpool’s interest in Marcos Llorente progressed?
Spanish media reports claim that Liverpool and Manchester United are vying to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente.
The two Premier League heavyweights and fierce rivals are reportedly both interested in signing Llorente ahead of the upcoming campaign, and it would reportedly take an offer of €60 million (£51 million) for Atletico to part ways with their player this summer.
Is Marcos Llorente a competent athlete?
However, there is undoubtedly still work to be done and potential moves to be made during the summer transfer window to ensure Liverpool can return to competing at the highest level. Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with the business that has already been completed at Anfield.
A complete midfield revamp has been made possible by the departures of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner. However, Klopp will need to think about replacing more players in the near future.
Since club captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are both well into their 30s and nearing the end of their careers, it would be wise to take advantage of any chances to replace them with deserving candidates.
Therefore, acquiring Llorente could be a great business decision for Liverpool and would not only give them a seasoned winner but also the perfect Henderson successor.
According to FBref, the 28-year-old – who Jacek Kulig, a football talent scout, now calls a “incredible footballer” – ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for progressive carries, progressive passes received and touches, as well as ranking in the top 25% for shot-creating actions. He is a far more mobile asset than Henderson thanks to his playing style.
However, despite playing 13 fewer league games than Henderson, Llorente showed many similarities to the Liverpool captain in a number of key areas, including pass completion rate (80.9% v. 83%), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.17 v. 3.13), tackles and interceptions (49 v. 53), successful take-ons (44.4% v. 52.2%), and crosses (44 v. 45).
As Klopp, a German coach, tries to figure out the best way to use Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has emerged as a revelation in a new role that has seen him play as an inverted right-back for Liverpool and also successfully used in a midfield three for England in recent months, Llorente is an incredibly versatile all-action talent who could be the perfect utility player for Klopp.
The 18-time international for Spain has experience in several positions, including defensive, central, attacking, and right midfield. He has also made 11 appearances at right back, and his diverse skill set is similar to that of James Milner, which would be a huge plus for Klopp.
In light of this, a move for Llorente would undoubtedly give the team a skilled and deserving successor to succeed Henderson. If FSG could approve a move this summer, it could further strengthen Liverpool’s midfield presence.
