Fichajes declared that Liverpool want Julian Alvarez, Xavi Simons and Alessandro Bastoni during the summer window to back Arne Slot. While getting these three players altogether is unrealistic due to numerous factors, these big names highlighted the areas of concern.
Liverpool faced the same issues last season, which created a major setback for the Reds in the past week. They suffered a Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle United and were eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
Both the Magpies and Les Parisians exploited the Reds’ weaknesses, which the fans knew were due to the last season’s misfortune. Similarly, the Reds suffered a late dip in form last season with the team suffering multiple losses under Jurgen Klopp.
Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have struggled to deliver for Liverpool consistently
Slot has not added many players this season apart from the bargain deal for Federico Chiesa during the last summer. However, the good thing is that the Dutch boss accurately pinpointed the team’s weaknesses in duels and using outlets.
The responsibility now falls on the Liverpool management and the owners to use those assessments and correctly back Slot next summer. According to Fichajes, Liverpool wants PSG winger Simons, currently at RB Leipzig, Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez and Inter Milan defender Bastoni as they are willing to spend €300 million during the summer.
Julian Alvarez
Slot has faced an unwanted dilemma for the number nine position throughout this season with the options he possessed. The Dutchman deployed Diogo Jota as the preferred number nine as the Portuguese is the best finisher after Mohamed Salah.
Jota continued to struggle with nagging injuries which is nothing new as he has suffered the same since joining Liverpool. However, the 28-year-old featured more frequently in recent months but his limitations were exposed against PSG and Newcastle.
While Jota is a crafty player in the final third and inside the opposition box, he is overall limited. The Portuguese international struggles in duels and hold-up play, failing to create interplays with his teammates.
Liverpool faced that issue against PSG when the Paris side left a lot of space to carry their tactics. In many moments during the away game, Jota had opportunities to exploit those spaces but continuously failed.
Those failures forced Liverpool to drop deeper against the athletically stronger side with no room for an outlet to relieve the pressure. Jota lacks the tenacity and qualities to help Liverpool transition from the middle to the attacking third.
That aspect is as essential as scoring goals for a Liverpool number nine, something that Darwin Nunez provides. However, Nunez fails where Jota excels as his finishing and composure are arguably the worst among the Liverpool forwards.
Alvarez is a complete forward and as unrealistic as luring him away from Athletico sounds, he is the profile that Liverpool needs. A physically, mentally and technically strong number nine who is worthy of playing at the topmost level in Europe.
Xavi Simons
Simons has the speed, creativity and directness that the Liverpool wingers lacked in recent weeks. The Liverpool attack department is strong but relies too much on Salah, particularly when Cody Gakpo is injured.
Luis Diaz has faced criticism for his lack of productivity and inconsistency for many seasons and that problem has continued. The Colombian international started the season strongly, scoring goals regularly but once again his performance level dropped.
PSG capitalized on superior speed and creativity in attack despite facing resistance from Alisson Becker during the Champions League tie. The Reds need more pace and technical prowess in the attack and Simons fits the profile of the kind of player they need.
Alessandro Bastoni
Liverpool are at the precipice when it comes to their defence department with captain Virgil van Dijk at 33 years of age. Hopefully, the Dutch captain will stay beyond his current contract but he needs competition and an eventual successor.
Alessandro Bastoni perfectly fits the profile that Liverpool require as Virgil van Dijk’s teammate and eventual successor
Furthermore, Liverpool’s first-choice centre-backs lack competitive back-ups as Joe Gomez has been unreliable with fitness throughout his tenure at the club. Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah has struggled with performances during the start of the season but improved significantly. The 22-year-old is still lagging behind the level that the club of Liverpool’s stature require as a rotational choice to Ibrahima Konate.
Bastoni is not just a realistic possibility but arguably the best defensive option for Liverpool. The Inter’s defensive general provides similar reliability, dependency, leadership and qualities that Van Dijk delivers every week.
The 25-year-old is a left-footed defender, something that Liverpool lacks, currently entering the prime years of his career. Despite his young age, the Italian defender has established himself as arguably one of the best defenders in football.
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Bastoni started his career as a full-back before establishing himself as a centre-back and he understands the variety of roles in each position. He is exactly the defender that Slot deserves to start his tenure at Liverpool and challenge the high-spending competitive rivals. Inter are facing financial difficulties despite their stature in Italian football and a mutually beneficial deal is a possibility.