Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is coming under increasing pressure at Anfield.placeholder image
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is coming under increasing pressure at Anfield. | Getty Images
Liverpool have several issues to solve but Arne Slot has been linked with one of Serie A’s best midfielders for a bargain fee.
Liverpool’s recruitment in the summer was lauded by all and sundry with nobody foreseeing how the season has played out under Arne Slot.
The Reds boss has had several injuries and fitness issues to deal with, but many of the problems that he is facing have been self-inflicted. Mohamed Salah has hinted that he could leave and that his relationship with Slot is non-existent, something that could have been fixed over a cup of team and a chat in the boss’ office. The defence has been of particular concern, but again, Slot’s insistence on picking Ibrahima Konate amid his contract stand-off and Milos Kerkez as he struggles to adapt to life at Anfield could be avoided.
Liverpool consider move for Atalanta’s Ederson
Another area of concern has been the midfield. The defence has been porous; however, it hasn’t exactly been well protected either with Florian Wirtz’s arrival seeing a midfield three that isn’t quite as robust or well-drilled as it was last season. Despite not being a natural no.6, Ryan Gravenberch has been outstanding and one of a few players who should escape criticism, even if it is a position where Liverpool still need to upgrade with Richard Hughes eyeing one of Serie A’s most astute performers.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Atalanta’s Brazil international Ederson is on the sporting director’s radar to add some much-needed steel to the engine room: “Yeah, he’s been linked with the Premier League for a number of years now. He’s a top player, Ederson, there’s no getting anywhere from that,” said the former Sky Sports man.
“So he has got the ability, I think, to go to the Premier League and be a success. It does look like Liverpool are in need of a bit of physicality and energy in that midfield and in the team in general so I’m sure he’s somebody who’s maybe on their list that they’re looking at, but as you said there’s other clubs who are looking at him. Manchester City have been credited with an interest, Newcastle have also been credited with an interest and Barcelona are big admirers of him as well.
“I think for Atalanta right now he’s under contract until 2027 so if no new deal can be agreed you would imagine the Italian club could maybe be more open to cashing in on Ederson in the summer. He probably could be available for between 40 to 50 million pounds in the current market. If he’s available at that price next summer he could be a real smart pickup by somebody in the Premier League.”
What type of player is Ederson?
In terms of profile, Ederson is a near mirror image of Barcelona’s Gavi, a player who is the heartbeat of one of Europe’s best footballing clubs with former boss Xavi a huge fan of the Spain international, via Goal: “Gavi is a boy that thrills us all when we see him competing like this. He puts his soul, his heart and his character on the pitch and transmits it to the rest of the team, and he is just 18.
Radar image of Atalanta's Ederson (blue) and Barcelona's Gavi (red) using 2025/26 statistics.placeholder image
Radar image of Atalanta's Ederson (blue) and Barcelona's Gavi (red) using 2025/26 statistics. | Data MB.
"He was gifted with leadership skills. He projects that courage and that rage when he plays football and it's something special to see. I already said this many times but I never get tired of praising him. Hopefully, he will never stop like this, because he has no limits."
At 26-years old, Ederson is an established professional, but with a skillset like Gavi, he could be a steal at £40-50m.
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