Liverpool reportedly have two transfer targets in mind right now that would signal a big tactical change at the club. The Reds could really shake things up going forward.
There are two particularly interesting transfer links involving Liverpool right now. The first comes from Spain, with AS saying that the Reds have been in contact with Marco Asensio.
The Spaniard is out of contract next year and could be available for around £34m. At the very least, Liverpool have apparently told the player they’d like him. Sport and Mundo Deportivo have since said there’s an interest, too.
Then we have the Mirror claiming that Liverpool want Otavio. Porto expect a bid next week, funnily enough also for £34m. The Reds have been linked with the playmaker for a year now, with Correio da Manha initially reporting it.
A Bola are the most recent Portuguese outlet to claim Liverpool want Otavio, having said so in May.
Both players have a fair amount in common. They’re versatile, technical playmakers who want to move with the ball at their feet. Liverpool’s interest, then, suggests they have a tactical change in mind.
Two Liverpool transfer targets
Liverpool certainly don’t need more forwards, which tells us that this would actually be about midfield. That’s the area where the Reds could recruit as players near the end of their contracts and certain stars move through their 30s.
But neither Asensio nor Otavio are ‘traditional’ midfielders. They’re no.10s in terms of style, relying on creativity and their ability in tight spaces to shine. Liverpool don’t usually play with midfielders like that.
The Reds have thrived in recent years while using all-around players in the middle. They’ve wanted those who can do a bit of everything, adapting to situations in-game and tying the team together. They might be moving away from that, though.
Liverpool got away with it because of Roberto Firmino, essentially. His ability to drop out of the forward line and operate in the hole gave the team a link between midfield and attack. That’s the beauty of the False 9.
Only, Liverpool just signed Darwin Nunez and he’s a far more traditional centre-forward. Instead of creating for others, Nunez wants to get on the end of chances – he’s not a link-man.
Thus the Reds will likely have to use midfielders to create that link. Central players who carry the ball and create for forwards who score goals. And there’s a really telling sign that Jurgen Klopp wants to move in that direction.
Liverpool have three young midfielders on their books – Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho. All three are midfield playmakers, more in the mould of Asensio and Otavio than Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum.
The Nunez signing, though, might mean that Klopp doesn’t want to wait before introducing attacking playmakers into his midfield – the youngsters will take time, after all. We think he could be looking to make the big tactical change this coming season and interest in Asensio and Otavio hints at that further.
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