The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Liverpool had paid £40 million for Leeds’ 17-year-old star Archie Gray, barely three months after making his first-team debut.
The 17-year-old midfielder has been a revelation for Leeds in the Championship, displaying his versatility and promise.
For his ability to maneuver between positions, he has been compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. Gray, who can also play right-back, has started practically every Leeds game since his debut and has been an important part of the team’s season.
The similarities between Grey and Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold stem from their athleticism and versatility. Jurgen Klopp, the head coach of Liverpool, is said to be interested in Grey because, like the England player, he can play a range of roles.
Grey, with his evident natural talent and promise, might develop into a helpful asset for Liverpool in the future if he is ever signed. He would cost around £40 million.
Gray, you have such a gift!
Fullbacks going into midfield is not an altogether novel concept in football. Fullbacks, on the other hand, must be very skilled in order to rotate between midfield and defense at the proper time.
Alexander-Arnold has always served in this capacity. Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola did the same with Oleksandr Zinchenko. When a full-back is inverted, the attacking team gains control of the middle of the field.
They are hints that Gray is Liverpool’s preferred replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Many consider England’s versatile international to be one of Europe’s most dynamic defenders.
Gray is a skilled midfielder who excels in almost every aspect of possession play. Passing, carrying the ball, ball retention, and so on. He also has fullback traits, such as making timely tackles, winning duels, and making interceptions.
This makes him an ideal candidate for the inverted full-back post, and Klopp’s Reds might pull off another coup in the summer window if they clinch his signing.