Liverpool are expected to enter the summer transfer window with attacking intent, bolstering Arne Slot‘s talented squad with high-quality additions across the park.
While fans eagerly await news of forwards to strengthen a somewhat lopsided frontline, the realm of full-back is sure to receive focused attention too. And interestingly, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, it’s left-back that will receive the biggest facelift in spite of Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s expected move to Real Madrid.
Milos Kerkez is the name on everyone’s lips, but Liverpool aren’t a team to place all their eggs in one basket, and may well have found the perfect alternative.
Liverpool transfer news
Kerkez, 21, is expected to leave Bournemouth this summer, with reputable sources like Fabrizio Romano suggesting Liverpool are among the favourites to complete a deal.
However, Kerkez isn’t the only exciting talent on the market. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool have joined the race to sign Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso.
Riddled with monetary issues, Juventus are ready to hold a fire sale as they try to avoid financial sanctions and Cambiaso is among those listed.
A top player, the Old Lady will field enquiries worth €60m (£50m), with Manchester City and Bayern Munich also interested.
Kerkez, meanwhile, is understood hold a lesser value, around £40m.
Why Andrea Cambiaso may be better than Kerkez
Cambiaso has completed 74 matches, notching 14 goal involvements, for Juventus since joining from Serie A rivals Genoa in 2022.
Physically gifted and endowed with the pace and potency down the flank to serve strongly as an all-encompassing wide defender, Cambiaso may well be a better, more refined pick for Slot’s Liverpool than Kerkez.
No disrespect to the Hungarian, who would mark an upgrade on both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, but Juventus simply have one of the best in the business, who has shone despite his side’s struggles this year under the recently dismissed Thiago Motta.
|
Andrea Cambiaso vs Milos Kerkez (2024/25) |
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|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per game) |
||
|
Matches (starts) |
26 (20) |
29 (29) |
|
Goals |
2 |
2 |
|
Assists |
1 |
5 |
|
Touches* |
64.7 |
57.8 |
|
Pass completion |
92% |
81% |
|
Key passes* |
1.1 |
0.9 |
|
Dribbles* |
0.9 |
0.6 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
3.6 |
4.6 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
2.0 |
2.6 |
|
Clearances* |
0.6 |
2.7 |
|
Duels (won)* |
3.3 (52%) |
3.8 (51%) |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
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In fairness, there’s not the greatest deal of statistical difference between the two players, but deeper diving reveals Cambiaso to be among the most balanced attacking full-backs in the game.
Indeed, the 25-year-old has even been singled out for his “world-class vision” by journalist Zach Lowy. He might be on the wrong side, but this would certainly help to ameliorate Alexander-Arnold’s looming departure.
As per FBref, Cambiaso actually ranks among the top 12% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for pass completion and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90, emphasising his athleticism and creative flair.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
That’s not to say Kerkez isn’t a holder of such virtues himself, but if we refresh ourselves with the table above, he’s not yet as refined or relentless as the Italy international.
With so much upheaval set to take place at Anfield this summer, Liverpool may do well to welcome Cambiaso to the ranks. He won’t come cheap, but there are scant few superior options across Europe who could make the marked improvement on Slot’s already-thriving team.
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