How to grade Liverpool’s summer transfer window? We’d like to reserve judgement, if that’s okay, but there’s no denying Arne Slot’s side have regressed after sweeping changes, in and out.
Arsenal are a far cry away at the top of the Premier League table, but the plain truth is that Mikel Arteta’s side are far more solid, balanced and confident than the Reds, without even considering the gulf in points.
The onus is on qualifying for the Champions League and challenging on the European front and in the FA Cup, but Liverpool must plan for the future, and they have found an up-and-coming midfielder with the potential to become one of the world’s best.
Liverpool enter race for coveted midfielder
Much has been made of Liverpool’s defensive troubles this year, but there’s no question that the midfield have also flattered to deceive, with Alexis Mac Allister probably the worst of the bunch.
Devoid of his usual combativeness, creativity and cultured approach, Mac Allister has been out of sorts all year, and FSG are beginning to accept that they may need to sign a new midfielder.
Well, they’ve found just the talent, and once again, it may boil down to a battle with Newcastle United.
According to Newcastle World, Eddie Howe’s side have been left rocking after Liverpool registered their interest in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, who is valued at £40m.
Liverpool will know that interest in the Dutch prospect is rising, and that valuation could soon balloon as a bidding war begins.
Barcelona are also looking to strike a deal for a teenager who is swiftly establishing himself as one of the most sought-after talents in the world.
Why Liverpool want to sign Kees Smit
Smit is only 19 years old, but he’s swiftly established himself as a mainstay in Rene Neelissen’s AZ team, featuring 27 times in all competitions this season, scoring two goals and supplying five assists.
There has been a real clamour for this man’s signature in recent months, and it’s clear to see why. Not only an exciting playmaker, Smit is a “duel monster”, as has been said by analyst Ben Mattinson, who also asserted that he “has superstar potential”.
For what it’s worth, he’s playing with gusto and poise on the continental stage. As per data-driven platform FBref, Smit ranks among the top 3% of positional peers in the Conference League for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for progressive passes, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90.
This is a natural-born artist, and it’s for this reason that he could become Ekitike’s main partner in the build-up, combining with the Frenchman and feeding his darting runs into the danger area.
Ekitike has been a rare bright spark for Liverpool this season, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists across 26 matches. He’s outshone Alexander Isak, in fact, and very brightly at that.
While Isak will surely recover his one-time brilliance, he will face stern striking competition in Ekitike over the coming years, with the 23-year-old’s silky and stylish play firing him into the personal ascendancy.
Premier League 25/26 – Isak vs Ekitike
Stats (per 90)
Isak
Ekitike
Goals
0.36
0.64
Assists
0.18
0.16
Shots taken
2.68
3.10
Touches (att pen)
3.75
5.25
Pass completion (%)
64.8
72.4
Shot-creating actions
0.89
2.62
Progressive passes
1.43
0.95
Progressive carries
1.07
2.31
Successful take-ons
0.18
1.83
Recoveries
1.96
1.99
Tackles won
0.89
0.32
Data via FBref
Both are elite goalscorers, and given Smit’s roundedness, they might find the perfect supply line into the box, someone who can provide a range of different passes but also the grittiness needed to survive in the Premier League.
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It’s curious that Ekitike is the man stealing the headlines for the Anfield side this season, despite the record-breaking signing of Isak on deadline day. Perhaps Smit could end up outshining Wirtz in a similar manner?
Liverpool have an eye for a talented youngster, and Smit has shown he works in an alliance of physicality, agility and skill beyond his youthful years.
His creativity from a deep-lying berth suggests he would help shore up Liverpool’s midfield down the years while opening a road into the final third for Ekitike to travel down, latching onto threaded passes and forming a deadly new partnership.
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