Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is interested in signing Torino center defender Perr Schuurs this summer as he attempts to revamp his team’s defense.
Who will Liverpool sign this summer?
According to Italian publication Toro.it (via Sport Witness), while the Reds are ‘in the picture,’ Crystal Palace are trying to seize the lead after manager Roy Hodgson ‘expressly confirmed’ his desire for the Dutchman.
The article does indicate that talks have stalled as a result of Torino’s €40 million (£34 million) demands for the player, which both Liverpool and the Eagles are hesitant to meet, but that the sides would not ‘give up’ on their efforts.
Jorg Schmadtke, Liverpool’s sports director, has prioritized the club’s midfield reconstruction in recent months, but the club is aiming to add a left-sided centre-back to bolster the defense, and Schuurs certainly fits the bill.
Perr Schuurs, how excellent is he?
If the former Netherlands U21 international signs, Virgil van Dijk may shift across to his preferred right side, and Klopp could finally land the left-footed center defender he craves to improve the fluidity and cohesion of his squad.
Van Dijk’s compatriot might use his homeland connection to form a rock-solid new combo, with Schuurs as imposing in stature – 6 foot 3 and characterized as a “mountain” by journalist Josh Bunting.
According to Sofascore, the 23-year-old behemoth completed 88% of his passes in Serie A last season and averaged 1.7 tackles and 3.2 clearances per game as Il Toro finished the season with the division’s fifth-best defense.
His skill set complements Van Dijk’s, who completed 91% of his passes last season while also averaging 4.2 clearances per game.
And, according to FBref, Schuurs ranks among the top 8% of positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for assists over the last year, and among the top 19% for successful take-ons and tackles per 90.
Van Dijk has been hailed as one of Europe’s best defenders since joining Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for £75 million. He has made 222 appearances for the Reds, virtually winning the entire trophy cabinet.
The 32-year-old was frequently at the heart of Liverpool’s problems over the past year and failed to exude the same level of imperious superiority that he has been credited with so often over his illustrious career under Klopp’s stewardship, but he remains a world-class titan who was perhaps a victim of a systematic collapse.
With new faces joining the fold at Anfield, life at the club might begin anew, with Van Dijk sharing sage knowledge on the likes of his countryman Schuurs and, in turn, benefiting from the £30k-per-week behemoth’ young energy.
Schuurs has all the tools he needs to become a “dominant” defensive figure in the future, as Bunting has already described him, and if he moves to Liverpool and works alongside Van Dijk, allowing the distinguished ace to focus on his natural side, it could be a move that benefits everyone involved.
