Profiling Liverpool’s Summer Defensive Targets
Jurriën Timber, Perr Schuurs, Gonçalo Inácio, António Silva and Evan N’Dicka
Amidst the talks that Liverpool have to spend big in the summer to rectify their midfield issues, it cannot be brushed over that the need for a defensive addition in the summer is apparent as well. With Curtis Jones showing good form and greater adaptability to the new system, we might hope that the left-sided central midfield role can be his to lose if he has a fantastic pre-season.
It would also be interesting to see where Trent Alexander-Arnold plays next season. After the change in system deployed by Jürgen Klopp, the 24-year-old is operating in a hybrid role by starting as a right-back but moving into central midfield in possession.
Given how good Alexander-Arnold has been on and off the ball there, a case can be made for him to play as a right-sided number eight, operate in the half-spaces and dominate games in the centre of the park.
If that becomes the reality, Liverpool will have to buy a right-back or a centre-back who can play there (like a Joe Gomez). They will have Calvin Ramsay back from injury and Conor Bradley off the back of a successful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, but asking them to share minutes can be too much of an ask.
Furthermore, Joël Matip is 31 now and attracting interest from AS Roma. His contract expires next summer. Is there a case to sell him this summer and add a younger centre-back to the squad who can challenge for a place in that position? Possibly so.
With the basis of this article set, let us take a look at Liverpool’s five defensive summer transfer targets, their profiles, where they fall in metrics amongst Europe's best and what role they can play if signed by Klopp.
Jurriën Timber
Jurriën Timber is a versatile defender who plays for Ajax. The Dutch international can play as a centre-back in a back four, as a right-sided centre-back in a back three and a right-back, if required. He is good on the ball, can progress it well, is quick along the ground but has low aerial duels won per 90 count. At 179cm, the 21-year-old does not have a natural height for consistently competing in the air and winning those duels.
Hence, as per FBRef, he has 14 percentile in aerial duels won among centre-backs in Europe over the last 365 days. It is all 90+ when it comes to passing, progressive carries, touches in the opposition box and shot-creating actions.
Perr Schuurs
Perr Schuurs is a Dutch centre-back currently plying his trade for Italian side Torino. The Fortuna youth product who moved to Italy last summer, is a centre-back who has played as a defensive midfielder in the past. At Torino, he has mostly been used as the middle centre-back in a back three system.
The 23-year-old is excellent in passing, tackles and overall reading of the game. He does not possess the pace of a Timber, hence plays the sweeper role in a back three. At 191cm, the Dutchman is a natural at dealing with aerial bombardments from the opposition.
If we look at Schuurs’ FBRef percentile, the aerial duels won is at 68, while the passing accuracy surpasses 70. He loves a tackle or two as well.
Gonçalo Inácio
Gonçalo Inácio is a young Portuguese defender who plays for Sporting Lisbon. The Sporting youth product made his debut for the senior team in 2020 and has been a consistent starter this season. Ruben Amorim has used him chiefly as a wide centre-back on both sides of the field in a back three system. The left-footed player has operated as a left-back at times too.
The 21-year-old possesses attributes similar to Timber when it comes to passing, tackling and progressive running with the ball. Although his aerial duel win percentile is only 54 as per FBRef, it is better than Timber. He is, after all, six centimetres taller than the Dutchman as well.
Gonçalo Inácio has 90+ percentile in passing, progressive carries, shot-creating actions and assists (0.12 per 90). He is pretty good at interceptions and tackling.
António Silva
António Silva is another young Portuguese centre-back, who plays for Benfica and has had an exceptional breakthrough season there. The former Benfica youth player has predominantly been used as a centre-back in a back four. For Portugal in the World Cup, be it a for game, Fernando Santos used him in a similar manner.
The 19-year-old is very good in passing, tackling, progressive carries and is adept in aerial duels. He possesses great pace that has been useful for him in making those recovery runs.
With over 80 percentile in tackling and 90+ in passing and ball progression, Silva epitomises attributes of a good defensive midfielder. He is still so young that a shift from centre-back to defensive midfield should not be an issue.
Evan N’Dicka
Evan N’Dicka, who currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, will be a free agent in the summer. He is a left-footed defender who can operate as a left-sided centre-back in a three, a normal centre-back in a four and a left-back.
The Frenchman, who has played alongside Ibrahima Konaté for the young French side, is more of a conventional centre-back who is good at aerial duels (68 percentile per FBRef), can pass the ball well and is good at blocking shots and passes. He possesses decent pace and athleticism too if required to play as a fullback.
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