Sofyan Amrabat shone for Morocco as they upset Spain at the World Cup. The midfielder showed why Liverpool reportedly want him.
Tuesday saw Morocco beat Spain 3-0 on penalties after drawing 0-0 over 120 minutes. It’s a World Cup shock, with one of the favourites bowing out as a North African side makes the last eight for the first time.
History, then, and a performance that we imagine Liverpool watched closely. That’s because reports continue to link them with Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who could leave Fiorentina next year.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg is one of those suggesting it’s the case. He says the Reds are ‘especially’ pushing ahead of other Premier League clubs for the 26-year-old.
Liverpool will almost certainly want to sign midfielders next year, after all. And if they were watching Ambrabat, they’ll have been thoroughly impressed.
Sofyan Amrabat vs Spain
Morocco didn’t have much of the ball against Spain – only 23 per cent of it, in fact. That meant they spent a lot of the game sat back, soaking up pressure and searching for opportunities to spring counter-attacks.
Amrabat contributed to that as much as anyone. He won four tackles against Spain – the most in the match. He threw in an interception and a clearance, too, while managing to avoid being dribbled past once.
The 26-year-old was very, very solid here. We haven’t mentioned his blocks, either – a vital part of Morocco’s defence. Amrabat delivered exactly what his country needed, in other words.
And Liverpool will like that. They lack a solid, tough midfielder to sit alongside or in front of Fabinho. Amrabat could be exactly that, though, and he’s showing off that ability on the biggest stage.
We’re not exactly sure how much he’d cost but Amrabat is one Liverpool should consider. 10 tackles and six interceptions across four games now – the Moroccan would inject so much fight into Jurgen Klopp’s midfield.
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