With Joel Matip leaving and the potential for Kostas Tsimikas to depart this summer season too, Liverpool want a defender and Riccardo Calafiori may very well be the proper match.
These with a eager eye on the European Championships could have watched Calafiori pondering he’s a stalwart of the Italy staff, such was his maturity whereas enjoying for the holders.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old solely made his worldwide debut two weeks earlier than Italy’s event opener in opposition to Albania.
After beginning and maintaining a clear sheet in Italy’s final warm-up match in opposition to Bosnia & Herzegovina, supervisor Luciano Spalletti had seen sufficient to choose the left-footed defender in every of their group video games.
Inside three matches, the long-haired Italian had already made himself important to the nationwide staff, and it was definitely telling that, with Calafiori suspended, they misplaced 2-0 to Switzerland within the spherical of 16.
Liverpool don’t have sufficient centre-backs
Matip’s exit has left Liverpool with simply Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as their solely first staff centre-backs.
Usually, you’d say 4 is sufficient for a squad with the assistance of the academy. Nonetheless, Liverpool’s circumstances recommend in any other case.
Konate is an excellent defender however misses far an excessive amount of soccer by way of accidents. Already in his skilled profession, the 25-year-old has spent over a 12 months out of motion.
Gomez is one other with undoubted high quality however, in his case, he has performed hardly any soccer at centre-back. Final season, he performed simply thrice within the center for Liverpool.
As an alternative, he spent the vast majority of the season at full-back and even stuffed the defensive midfield place on two events.
That leaves Van Dijk and the 21-year-old, Quansah. Altogether, this state of affairs leaves Liverpool needing one other and, with no fast prospects coming from the academy, the Reds ought to flip to the switch market.
It’s value noting Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips are each nonetheless Liverpool gamers, however Phillips is anticipated to depart this summer season and neither go well with the Reds’ enjoying type.
Two birds, one stone
Apart from clearly bolstering Liverpool’s choices at centre-half, Calafiori might additionally assist clear up one other positional conundrum.
Having began his profession as a left-back, the Bologna participant has transitioned to being a centre-back having performed in a again three alongside the best way.
With Kostas Tsimikas doubtlessly leaving this summer season and Andy Robertson seemingly unable to play each sport like in earlier years, Liverpool might do with one other left-back.
Final season, Gomez performed the place 19 instances however, as a right-footer, he isn’t naturally made for the function.
In Calafiori, Liverpool would have another choice who can maybe present extra going ahead when he’s referred to as upon in that function.
He’s no long-term choice, although, together with his attributes greatest suited to bringing the ball out from a central place for Liverpool.
Within the academy, Owen Beck and Luke Chambers have each proven promise, particularly in assault, however Calafiori can be a extra strong choice with Conor Bradley or Trent Alexander-Arnold bombing down the opposite facet.
When that occurs, the again three the Italian would then kind with the centre-backs can be removed from unfamiliar.
The suitable profile
What stands out about Calafiori while you watch him is how assured he appears to be like on and off the ball.
He hardly ever panics when opponents are one-on-one and he’s very happy to command these round him, not dissimilar to Van Dijk.
The place he most feels suited to Liverpool, although, is on the ball. During the last 12 months, he has managed nearly 0.2 assists per 90 minutes which implies he’s within the high one p.c of all defenders in Europe’s high 5 leagues.
One other statistic that demonstrates his means to assist the staff construct from the again is in how he creates photographs.
FB Ref say he produces 1.76 shot-creating actions per sport, inserting him within the 97th percentile amongst his fellow defenders.
He additionally ranks extremely in progressive carrying (1.07 per 90), which signifies he’s comfy transferring ahead with the ball at his ft.
Through the years, we noticed how advantageous having Matip bringing the ball out from defence was, and Van Dijk’s lengthy passing has been equally as important in mounting assaults.
Will it occur?
Effectively, the indicators level in direction of Liverpool having real curiosity however the consequence will rely upon worth, the membership’s evaluation of different targets and the participant’s choice.
In line with The Athletic‘s James Horncastle, Liverpool are amongst these to have enquired into Calafiori’s availability.
Juventus, Tottenham, Newcastle, Brighton, West Ham and Actual Madrid have all been credited as suitors for the left-sided defender.
Arsenal, although, are reportedly closest to his signature, with journalist Gianluca Di Marzio writing that “the Londoners are the staff in pole place.”
#Calciomercato | L’#Arsenal resta favorito su #Calafiori. Nelle ultime ore si sono mossi anche #PSG, #BayerLeverkusen e #Chelsea. Questa sarà la settimana decisiva per chiudere
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) July 3, 2024
Golf equipment got hope earlier this week by Bologna’s sporting director, Giovanni Sartori, who admitted a deal was doable if the payment had been massive sufficient.
“We solely signed Calafiori 12 months in the past, so we’ll see what occurs, however in our minds we need to hold him,” Sartori mentioned, per Soccer Italia.
“There was discuss of Juventus, but in addition many different golf equipment. If we had been to obtain huge gives, we’d have to consider it.
“I don’t assume he’ll go to Juventus, it’s going to in all probability be overseas, however I repeat we are going to attempt to hold him.”
Whereas Calafiori is clearly a robust choice for Liverpool, his performances on the Euros could have pushed his worth up and Richard Hughes should resolve whether or not he’s definitely worth the threat.
