Photo by Inaki Esnaola/Getty Images
Photo by Inaki Esnaola/Getty Images
With one eye on the summer window, Liverpool have been keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown.
The 22-year-old is yet another attacking-minded full-back who has come onto Liverpool’s radar.
A tall, technical defender with great pace and a danger in the final third, he’s comfortable in any position on the left flank, mostly used as a full-back.
But Liverpool just signed Milos Kerkez, making this interest in Brown somewhat confusing. Fresh reports from Germany paint a clearer picture.
Cody Gakpo before Leeds United v Liverpool - Premier League
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Liverpool like Nathaniel Brown, but also Milos Kerkez
With how strenuous a Premier League season can be, having a couple of options in each position is never a bad idea.
The confusion with Brown lies in the fact that he would likely cost more than Kerkez, which isn’t usual for depth pieces and suggests that he is being looked at as an upgrade.
Florian Plettenberg explains why that is not the case.
He writes on X: “Liverpool watched Nathaniel Brown live in the stadium last Sunday during Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-0 win against SC Freiburg. At the moment, however, nothing is concrete/advanced and there is no urgency, as Liverpool trust Milos Kerkez.
Milos Kerkez during Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
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“Brown is allowed to leave SGE in the summer. Markus Krösche is demanding at least €60 million. The 22 y/o left-back is also on the shortlist of Real Madrid, while Barcelona and Manchester United are keeping an eye on the situation.”
Plenty of teams are looking at the German, and for good reason.
He puts up some of the best attacking numbers for a defender in the Bundesliga (3 goals, 4 assists), and his versatility could help Arne Slot rotate both at left-wing and in midfield.
Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
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But at £50 million+, is that the kind of impact that makes you say ‘good value’?
Kerkez is making good progress at Liverpool, still only 22. He has yet to reach the attacking output we saw at Bournemouth (1 goal, 1 assist), but that also has to do with the role he is playing for Slot.
Liverpool have plenty of summer business to do, so while Brown looks a quality player and would be a welcome addition at Anfield, it might not be the wisest use of funds.
Especially with the risk of Liverpool missing out on Champions League football.