Liverpool have recently been linked with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, most likely as a result of Fabinho’s potential departure from Anfield.
Who will Liverpool bring in?
When Liverpool finished the 22/23 Premier League season in fifth place after seven consecutive years in the top four, it was evident that adjustments were needed.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominick Szoboszlai have been brought in to replace departing players James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
With captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both on their way out, manager Jurgen Klopp is set to collect around £52 million in outgoings, and suggestions that Verratti may be entering the Liverpool fold may well come true.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, PSG are willing to part with the Italy international for a fee of €70 million (£61 million), despite interest from Liverpool. While this may appear high, the funds recovered from the upcoming sales of Fabinho and Henderson appear to pave the way for another lucrative signing.
How talented is Marco Verratti?
For Liverpool fans familiar with Verratti’s game, words like ‘Thiago-esque,’ ‘ball-playing,’ and’maestro’ may come to mind, but the truth is that here is a distinguished and multi-faceted midfielder capable of blending his passing prowess with a gritty approach to his defensive trade.
This is demonstrated by his defensive analytics over the past year, with FBref rating the Euro 2020 champion among the top 5% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles and the top 9% for blocks per 90 minutes, highlighting his ability as an anchoring force.
Last season, the £240k-per-week star played 19 of his 38 matches from defensive midfield, with Parisian teammate Danilo Pereira waxing lyrical about the 30-year-old.
“Marco is incredible!” he exclaimed. Incredible! What he’s capable of doing both with and without the ball. I’ve never seen such a talented midfielder. He can attack and defend with such ease that anyone watching would think it was simple, but it isn’t.”
Fabinho has been amazing for Liverpool since joining from Monaco for £44 million in 2018, but his recent performances have been criticized, with Jamie Carragher noting after one of the many poor games last season, “Liverpool were awful, what is going on with Fabinho?”
According to Sofascore, the Brazilian star averaged 1.8 tackles per game in the English Premier League, winning 48% of ground duels and completing 89% of his passes. Verratti, on the other hand, made 2.6 tackles per game and won 54% of his ground duels while also completing 93% of his passes. As a result, it is evident who would be the superior option at this time.
Verratti, once dubbed a “genius” by Neymar, might be an excellent addition to the Liverpool squad, bolstering the defensive midfield and adding passing prowess to the mix.
And, with the prodigious Romeo Lavia undergoing intense speculation about his future with relegated Southampton – with Liverpool also at the forefront of the rumours – he could serve as the ideal understudy to Verratti, assimilate the knowledge passed down while growing into his skin and starring when called upon.
