Liverpool have been linked with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, most likely as a result of Fabinho’s potential departure from Anfield.
Who will Liverpool sign?
When Liverpool finished the 22/23 Premier League season in fifth place after seven years in the top four, it was evident that changes were needed.
James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all completed their contracts, and Alexis Mac Allister and Dominick Szoboszlai have been brought in to replace them.
With captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both on their way out, manager Jurgen Klopp is set to pocket around £52 million from the outgoings, and suggestions that Verratti could be joining the Liverpool fold may just 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 steep, the funds recovered from the upcoming sales of Fabinho and Henderson appear to pave the way for another lucrative signing.
How excellent 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 reality 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 proven by his defensive analytics over the past year, with FBref rating the Euro 2020 champion among the top 5% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for tackles and the top 9% for blocks per 90, highlighting his ability as an anchoring force.
Last season, the £240k-per-week star played 19 of his 38 matches from the defensive midfield position, with Parisian teammate Danilo Pereira waxing poetic about the 30-year-old.
“Marco is incredible!” he exclaimed. Incredible! What he can do with and without the ball. I’ve never seen a midfielder like him. He can attack and defend with such easily that anyone watching would believe it was easy, but it isn’t.”
Fabinho has been amazing for Liverpool since coming from Monaco for £44 million in 2018, but his recent performances have been criticized, with Jamie Carragher noting after one of the numerous 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 his ground duels and completing 89% of his passes. Verratti, on the other hand, made 2.6 tackles per match and won 54% of his ground duels while also completing 93% of his passes. As a result, it’s evident who would be the superior option at this time.
Verratti, who was once dubbed a “genius” by Neymar, might be an excellent addition to the Liverpool squad, boosting the defensive midfield and adding passing prowess to the mix.
And, with the prodigious Romeo Lavia subject to 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.
