While the focus will be on the backline for the foreseeable future, the Reds manager looks set to further strengthen the engine room by signing a top midfielder. It’s true that Alexis McAllister has done well in midfield, but he believes his creative skills are better served in a number eight role. Liverpool’s Alexis McAllister picked up an injury during the match against Sheffield United. Either way, he was a capable replacement for Fabinho, who was sold to Al Ittihad for £40m after a dramatic summer meltdown. According to Brazil’s Globo Esporte, Liverpool could be in a position to sign midfielder Andre from Fluminense after the Brazilian Serie A club’s £30m asking price failed to meet a positive move from interested parties. Arsenal and Fulham have been keeping tabs on the player in recent months, with the Cottagers in particular vying for his signature. But with Fluminense accepting the option to sell him next summer (midway through the Brazilian season) following plans from European clubs, Liverpool could invest in their defense this winter as their dream defensive midfielder awaits in the wings. The season ends.
Andre’s season by the numbers This is a progressive midfielder who certainly brings a solid background to his game. The Brazil international, rated a ‘leader’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his talismanic midfield, repeated his impressive efforts on the continental stage, conquering South America in the Copa Libertadores and defeating Argentine giants Boca Juniors. In the end. In that game, Andre made eight tackles, completed 95% of passes, made four tackles and made two decisive dribble attempts to win the gold medal. Andre’s style of play Taken from WhoScored Journalist Fernando Campos was among those who admired the South American’s skills. “Andre is the best midfielder in the country and a monster of a player.”Combative and hard-working, he boasts the modern skills of a defensive midfielder, combining the ball-playing skills of Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara with traditional dominance in defensive duties. The future of Thiago Alcantara at LiverpoolLiverpool signed Thiago from German giants Bayern Munich for around £25million in 2020, with Klopp opting to replace Gini Wijnaldum with another central star in the center of the park. Thiago-Liverpool-Premier-LeagueThe 32-year-old has made 97 appearances for the club, including FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins, but has suffered frequent injuries and has not featured at all this season as he recovers from a long-term problem.
The maestro is in the top 4% for assists, 5% for passes, 8% for tackles, 11% for tackles and 5% for interceptions among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. If Klopp and his team-mates are left without contact after the end of the season, they will have to assess their options and decide who can replace them. Given the similarities in style, Andre is a definite answer.For a brilliant and cultivated veteran of football, Liverpool have underperformed all season and it is fascinating to think how important Thiago could be as Anfield chase the Premier League title in the coming months.
Described as “orchestral” by journalist and U23 scout Antonio Mango, Andre has the flexibility to operate as a tightrope walker and uses his skills around Liverpool’s midfield to strengthen and improve the team.It is unclear whether Thiago will complete the trip to Merseyside at the end of the campaign, but for all his brilliance, the soft-spoken Spaniard may not be too reliable here.
Now that Jurgen Klopp has managed to rebuild his midfield at Liverpool in the summer, it would be fair to assume that attention will turn to another area of the pitch – namely the defence. This is correct. Joel Matip’s season – and his illustrious career at Anfield – came to a painful and premature end after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Fulham at the start of December, with his contract due to expire in June.
Although the move was set to go to waste, Klopp could consider a return to goal this summer.
Andre Klopp had a great opportunity to show his quality against his rivals when Fluminense played Manchester City in the Club World Cup final, telling journalist Ben Jacobs: “Obviously he has a dream.”He certainly questions his desire to make the endless journey across the North Atlantic to the shores of England, where he can pass on the core qualities that made him so great in his homeland. According to whoscore, the 22-year-old has produced plenty of action in the center of the park for his outfit this season.
He appeared in 31 games in Brazil’s first division, completing 96% of his passes and grabbing 6.9 rebounds per game. The dribbling success rate was 70% and the ground ball contest success rate was 60%.
So it’s clear that Andre is a skilled distributor and is more than happy to add to the action of the match with well-placed challenges, but the truth is that he has great qualities on his face that few players have.
According to FBref, over the past year the Brazilian ranked in the top 1% for passes and clearances, in the top 25% for progressive moves and in the top 14% for successful passes in similar categories in Brazil’s Serie A. He struck 90 times and showed first class ball skills and tenacity in the center of the engine room.
