Richard Hughes could land Xabi Alonso as Liverpool’s next manager this summer. He could also secure a transfer for his heir in the Reds’ playing squad.
Richard Hughes will have plenty on his plate when he begins work at Liverpool. The new sporting director is set to officially arrive on June 1, and there will be a number of jobs on his to-do list.
Top of that will of course be finding a new manager to replace Jürgen Klopp. Xabi Alonso is the clear favorite, although there will of course be competition from Bayern Munich.
Beyond that, Hughes will be tasked with securing the first new signings of the new era at Anfield. One option may have already fallen on his lap.
Teun Koopmeiners is a name that will be more than familiar to Liverpool fans by now. The Atalanta midfielder’s name has been a regular feature in the gossip columns in recent transfer windows, although a move has never materialized.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool has been monitoring the ex-AZ Alkmaar man, although Juventus is also keen on keeping him in Italy. Atalanta would be looking for around $54m (£43m/€50m), although the player might have just forced their hand somewhat.
Koopmeiners has admitted he wants a move this summer, and is eyeing up the Premier League. “Last year there was concrete interest from Napoli. However, in the end the two clubs did not find an agreement. I told Atalanta that in the coming summer I want to move,” he told De Telegraaf.
‘My fiancée and I are having a great time in Italy, but for some clubs in England I could even bear the rainy days there… I hope options present themselves so I can think about it. I would be lying if I said I didn’t hear the news about the interest from Juventus and Premier League clubs have shown to me.”
A Dutch international, Liverpool interest in Koopmeiners might hold some weight. There is an obvious Dutch influence at Anfield through Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk. Meanwhile, Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, played a key role in the acquisition of Cody Gakpo, and he is known for keeping a close eye on players from his homeland, with Ryan Gravenberch following in the summer.
Undoubtedly, therefore, Lijnders will be well aware of Koopmeiners, who was a dominant force in the Eredivisie as the captain of AZ Alkmaar before moving to pastures new in Serie A, where again he has been impressive. Of course, Lijnders will move on along with Klopp at the end of the season, but perhaps his influence will rub off on Hughes.
Koopmeiners is definitely the type of player who is capable of making contributions in the final third. But crucially, he is also a tactically flexible player for Liverpool.
Probably best in a holding midfield role, Koopmeiners can also play in more advanced positions in the same way Georginio Wijnaldum was able to, and thrives with his ability on the ball.
Blessed with excellent technique, Koopmeiners also has a unique ability in terms of being able to strike the ball. Not only is he capable of hitting the target from long distances, his long ball distribution is also very impressive with the midfielder capable of sending defense-splitting passes across the pitch.
In terms of his technique and composure on the ball, there are shades of Xabi Alonso in Koopmeiners, and if he were to arrive at Liverpool, the Reds probably haven’t had that kind of player since the now-Bayer Leverkusen manager.
Long ball is of course also a key feature of Klopp’s system. The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are frequently encouraged to make these kinds of deep penetrative passes to switch play, and were a similar approach to be utilized after Klopp’s exit, Koopmeiners would fit right in.
Midfield might not be a priority for Liverpool after last summer’s rebuild, although with a new manager in place, nothing can be ruled out. If that new boss turns out to be Alonso, he could well find his midfield heir in Koopmeiners.
