Hear the untold: What the man who scouted Matheus Nuness told Liverpool

Planning for the summer transfer window is already well underway after what has been an unforgettable season for Liverpool so far.

The summer has given the Reds plenty of opportunities to bring in a midfielder, but apart from Arthur Melo on loan, they haven’t taken advantage of them and are now paying the price.

While a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea and a 1-0 FA Cup win over Wolves stopped the rot, there’s no denying the fact that the 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion was the real Jurgen Klopp’s low point. The Seagulls were like old Liverpool with their high pressing style and quick move into midfield. Reds boss Klopp’s man cover didn’t come close to the energetic competition. It’s clear that Liverpool need to act next summer and if the reports are correct they are targeting Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Wolves’ Matheus Nunes to start Klopp’s midfield revolution. Bellingham showed what he can do with his standout performance for England at the World Cup. But what would Nunes, who has had a shaky start to his Wolves career since his summer move from Sporting Lisbon, bring with him? Well, who better to answer that question than the man who discovered the 24-year-old in Portugal.

Liverpool must act this summer and plan to name Matheus Nunes and Jude Bellingham as the two players Klopp wants to start his midfield revolution. But how will Nunes adjust after a shaky spell with Wolves in the Premier League this season? Who better to answer this concern than the man who discovered it in Portugal.

Nunes’ first club in Portugal was Estoril where Pedro Alves was sporting director at the time. And we asked him about the Portuguese international born in Brazil and if he could improve the Reds’ midfield.

Liverpool say transfer target Matheus Nunes had ‘something special’ from a man who scouted the Wolves midfielder

ECHO: It was always clear that Matheus Nunes was destined for great things in football?

Alves: Yes, I think Matheus has always had that “something special”. He caught our eye when he played for Ericeirense, then joined our U23 side and we always knew this player would have a very successful career. Matheus has a hunger and passion for the game which, coupled with his natural talent and ability, will help him reach Champions League contenders in the future.

ECHO: What kind of player is Nunes and what would he offer Liverpool?

Alves: Matheus is a central midfielder, a very physical and talented box-to-box (player). He has the ability to pick up the ball in defense and move up the field, creating multiple opportunities and finding unique chances for his teammates. He can easily dribble his opponents and shoot superbly from a distance. He is already a very complete player, he can certainly strengthen Liverpool’s midfield and bring much-needed competitiveness to the team.

ECHO: What did you think of his move to Wolves as he has been linked with moves to Manchester City and Liverpool?

Alves: I see Matheus playing at Manchester City, Liverpool or Real Madrid to name a few. However he is still young and at this point in his career he needs time to play. I think Wolves are the perfect match to fit into the Premier League, they are a beautiful club, with a beautiful stadium and a brilliant atmosphere. Wolves also have a large Portuguese contingent and a manager with positive ideas. I think Matheus will do well at Wolves and will be ready in a short time for the Champions League candidates I mentioned earlier.

Some Liverpool fans are worried about Nunes as he has yet to set the Premier League on fire with Wolves. But Birmingham Live Wolves reporter Alex Dicken believes the club’s former manager Bruno Lage, who was replaced by Julen Lopetegui, had a hand in the summer signing struggles.

“We’ve seen two versions of Matheus Nunes this season,” Dicken told ECHO. Played out of position by two consecutive managers before the World Cup break, the player was out of form and failed to justify Wolves’ £38m outlay over the summer.

“It’s only since the arrival of Julen Lopetegui that we’ve seen the best of Matheus. He’s much better when he plays deeper in midfield and has the physical condition to face most midfielders. Premier League pitch. He has the potential to become one of the best midfielders of his kind. True box-to-box number eights are scarce, but Matheus seems to be thriving in most aspects of the game. He could add a few goals to his game, but Matheus has all the qualities to become a complete midfielder.”

Dicken believes Nunes would offer Liverpool more than Klopp’s current selection of midfielders: “Based on what I’ve seen of Liverpool in games against Wolves lately, Matheus is more of a Jurgen Klopp midfielder than those currently in the team’s engine room.” Reds. ” .

“He is more dynamic, more energetic and has his best years ahead of him, unlike Liverpool’s elderly half-backs. Liverpool’s need for a Matheus-type player is evident which is why Wolves would face a huge transfer fee when the time comes.”