Arsenal gave Liverpool what should be ‘next Darwin Núñez’ transfer to fix Jürgen Klopp midfield

Arsenal gave Liverpool what should be ‘Darwin Núñez next transfer’ to fix Jürgen Klopp’s midfield

Liverpool are expected to take a recent tip from Arsenal and pursue a transfer in the form of Darwin Núñez to sort out several problems in Jürgen Klopp’s midfield.

As if the whole season hadn’t made it clear enough, Liverpool’s performance against Real Madrid certainly highlighted the midfield issues Jurgen Klopp is currently dealing with and exactly what he faces in the summer transfer market.

One of the glaring problems for Liverpool, aside from having enough options in midfield, has to do with the Reds lacking a creative presence that can create chances for the club’s forwards and unlock deep defences.

In back-to-back games now, against both Real Madrid and Bournemouth, Klopp could have done without a midfielder capable of contributing in front of goal, of the same breed as one like Mason Mount who was on the pitch in the summer. . .

But it’s not just Mount who has to keep an eye on Liverpool. There is an exciting 24-year-old midfielder who has just shown his class against Arsenal and could follow the same path as Darwin Núñez or Luis Díaz, moving to Anfield from the Portuguese league.

The man in question is 24-year-old Pedro Gonçalves, whose long Xabi-Alonso-style journey from nearly halfway to beat Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal on Thursday night helped Sporting CP secure a shock win on the Gunners’ books and eliminate them from the Europa League.

Goncalves’ incredible goal has already earned him a lot of attention on social media with many claiming him as an early contender for the FIFA Puskás Award, but the truth is clubs at large need to keep an eye on him as Goncalves is experiencing a phenomenal season.

With 17 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances, the attacking midfielder certainly fits the criteria for the type of midfielder Liverpool currently lack. And this season hasn’t been a fluke either. Last season he had 15 goals and 14 assists in 41 games for Sporting CP, and the previous season he scored 23 goals and recorded five assists in 37 games.

Gonçalves is able to play on the wing, even on the right wing, where Liverpool don’t have too much cover behind Mohamed Salah. He is in the 97th percentile for progressive carries by 90 among his positional peers according to FBref, and also in the 96th percentile for shot creation actions by 90, highlighting his creative prowess.

When it comes to shooting, Gonçalves has a knack for being in tight spaces and has excellent reach within him. He can score pillars from long range, as well as touch entering the penalty area from midfield. He’s in the 99th percentile for shots on goal and shots per 90.

Overall, he’s quite reliable on defense and will put a lot of pressure on offense. He has won 58% of his 6.33 out of 90 defensive games in Liga NOS this season according to Wyscout, which isn’t a bad result, especially when compared to someone like Enzo Fernández, who only marginally surpassed him in the league, with a rate of return of 63.64% before his eye-popping move to Chelsea.

Already a highly polished and all-rounder, Goncalves could be a prime asset to Liverpool’s midfield, and although Julian Ward will no longer be the club’s sporting director, the Reds can still use the links he has built in Portugal to attract the club. 24 years at Anfield.

He has already scored 26 goals this season and is on course to break his previous record of 29 goals in a single season. step and to make his mark at a club like Liverpool. The Reds would benefit from signing him this summer, as Arsenal have just pointed out in a rather unsubtle way.

Also…

Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp makes decision in midfield as transfer target ‘notes it’

Liverpool are preparing for a busy summer transfer window at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp as the Reds continue to be linked with Jude Bellingham as part of a major midfield overhaul

Liverpool head to international break in pit.

After a stunning 7-0 win over Manchester United, the Reds returned to terrible form, going 17 days without a game after successive defeats. Jurgen Klopp’s side lost 1-0 to relegation-threatened Bournemouth for the first time and failed to make Real Madrid sweat in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday.

Liverpool were beaten 1-0 courtesy of Karim Benzema’s late goal to give the Blancos a crushing 6-2 victory. Klopp and his Reds bosses now have the chance to sit up and prepare not only for the end of this season, but also for the summer transfer market. Here’s a round-up of the latest news from Anfield.

Liverpool will part ways with Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo this summer to kick off midfield overhaul. Jurgen Klopp will tend to his engine room for the next few months as the trio are expected to leave at the end of the season.

With Arthur’s season-long move from Juventus having proved a bust, the Athletic add that Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita will leave on free transfers when their contracts expire in June. The Reds are ready to target Jude Bellingham and make him the center of their new midfield. Everton starlet Jarrad Branthwaite admits he noticed Liverpool’s transfer interest before there was a clash on Merseyside. The 20-year-old centre-back, who is currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven, has been watched by scouts at Anfield and told Mirror Football exclusively that he cannot ignore the speculation.

“I think if all these clubs are interested and see your games, it will be one of them that catches your eye,” admitted Branthwaite, who has also been targeted by Manchester United and Italian giants Roma. “But for me, it’s about playing the games. In the first half of the season I didn’t play as much as I wanted to, but now I’m fully focused on that and doing my best.”

Jarrad Branthwaite has been linked with a shock move from Everton to Liverpool

Have your say! Should Liverpool try to sign Branthwaite from Everton? Join the debate in the comments section.

Following Wednesday’s loss to Real Madrid, Jamie Carragher urged Jurgen Klopp to come out and sign a right-back to challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold – but he has already done so. Over the summer, Liverpool rushed to sign Aberdeen prospect Calvin Ramsay in a £6.5m transfer deal.

Unfortunately for the 19-year-old Ramsay, injuries prevented him from seriously challenging Alexander-Arnold. A problem was identified shortly after the Scotsman’s arrival at Anfield delaying his first-team debut and he suffered another setback in February when he confirmed he would have to undergo surgery.