Manchester United have endured a difficult season so far as they have struggled domestically and in Europe throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

Erik ten Hag's side secured a top four finish in the Premier League and won the League Cup in a solid first year in English football for the Dutch head coach.

However, he has not been able to kick on this season as his team have failed to perform on a consistent basis to compete for major trophies.

The Red Devils are currently sitting seventh in the Premier League table and are eight points adrift of the top four places as it stands, whilst having played one match more than Arsenal in fourth.

Bayern Munich

1

Five

16

Kobenhavn

2

Two

Eight

Galatasaray

3

One

Five

Manchester United

4

One

Four

United also finished bottom of their Champions League group and do not have knockout European football to look forward to over the coming months.

The Red Devils are now reportedly interested in a deal to sign an impressive performer from one of their rivals in that group to bolster their defensive options.

Manchester United's search for a new right-back

According to ESPN, the club are admirers of Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey as they plot a revamp of their defence ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The report claims that United want to make changes to their options at the back with players coming in and out of Old Trafford over the next two transfer windows.

It states that they have an interest in central defenders Jarrad Branthwaite, Matthijs de Ligt, and Jean-Clair Todibo, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans both out of contract at the end of the season.

They are also prepared to cash in on Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire if a 'significant' offer arrives on their desk for either of them this summer.

This suggests that they are keen to make wholesale changes to their options at the heart of the defence to improve the spine of ten Hag's squad.

However, they are also looking at the full-back positions as Boey is a right-back by trade and would come in to compete with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

There is no mention of whether or not United are prepared to make an offer for the talented gem or whether they would like to bring him in this month or in five months.

ESPN do not state how much Galatasaray would want for their star defender but Turkish outlet Fanatik touted a potential fee of €20m (£17m) for him earlier this season.

If they are able to strike a deal to sign the French whiz over the next 12 days or so, though, then ten Hag could secure a big upgrade on Wan-Bissaka at right-back.

Wan-Bissaka's limitations on the right flank

The current United defender is a solid and reliable option for ten Hag but he is a limited player due to his lack of quality in possession down the right flank.

Wan-Bissaka, first and foremost, does provide value off the ball for the side. He currently ranks fifth and first in the squad for tackles (2.1) and interceptions (1.7) per match in the Premier League respectively.

He has also won 59% of his physical duels across 12 top-flight appearances and this suggests that opposition players have found it difficult to get the better of him in 50/50 contests.

However, the English full-back ranks 17th within the squad for key passes (0.4) per game – below the likes of Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro.

Over the last 365 days, Wan-Bissaka sits within the bottom 45% of full-backs in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for assists (0.06) per 90.

He also ranks within the bottom 47% of his positional peers for progressive passes (3.70) and the bottom 23% for shot-creating actions (1.58) respectively per 90.

These statistics show that the 26-year-old enforcer is a below-average performer when it comes to creating chances for his teammates and making things happen in the final third.

Therefore, there is room for United to improve their team by signing a right-back who can provide quality at both ends of the pitch – as Boey could.

The stats that show why Boey could be better than Wan-Bissaka

The 23-year-old dynamo is a progressive full-back who has the ability to make an impact in the final third, whilst still being a solid defender for his side.

Over the last 365 days, Boey ranks within the top 2% of full-backs in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for tackles (3.33) per 90 and the top 7% or higher for blocks (1.67), clearances (3.33), and aerial battles won (2.00) per 90 respectively.

He has also averaged 3.4 tackles and interceptions combined and 6.4 ball recoveries per game across 18 appearances in the Turkish top-flight this season.

These statistics suggest that the Galatasaray star is not a liability at the back and has the ability to cut out opposition attacks at an impressive rate, as has been the case with Wan-Bissaka this term.

However, Boey could be a big upgrade on the former Crystal Palace man due to his superior quality in possession when it comes to creating chances and progressing the play.

United got a first-hand glimpse of his silky skills on the ball when he "made fun of Rashford" – as per journalist Furkan Bozoglu – with a delightful nutmeg on the right flank at Old Trafford in the Champions League earlier this season, as shown in the clip above.

The defender appeared to be in a difficult position by the touchline as the Red Devils forward closed him down but cleverly worked his way out of trouble by using his dribbling.

Shot-creating actions

3.67

1.58

Progressive passes

6.83

3.70

Progressive carries

3.00

2.37

Successful take-ons

1.17

1.08

As you can see in the table above, Boey has consistently offered progressive and attacking quality for Galatasaray on the right flank in Europe over the last year.

He has provided considerably more shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90 than Wan-Bissaka, whilst they can both cut out opposition attacks at an impressive rate.

This means that the French whiz could elevate United's attack by finding the likes of Rashford, who he made fun of, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes in dangerous positions to then create or score goals more frequently than the English dud does.

Curran unbeaten on 48 as rain disrupts play from lunch onwards

ECB Reporters Network04-Jun-2019Glamorgan’s push for a second win in this season’s Specsavers County Championship was held up by bad weather on the third afternoon at Wantage Road, preventing any play after lunch with Northamptonshire closing on 68 without loss, trailing by 270 runs.Having taken a first-innings lead of 338 after finally being bowled out for 547, Glamorgan only had time for 18 overs in Northants’ second innings until lunch.The rain was a big help to Northants’ chances of saving the match. They began their second innings with 186 overs remaining in the game but with two sessions lost, 72 of those were scratched. They are still left, for the second game in succession, with the final day to bat out to salvage a draw having been well behind the game.Ben Curran gave their hopes a boost in making a fluent 48 before the weather closed in. Playing the ball late, he flicked Dan Douthwaite for four before cutting the same bowler for another boundary. Ricardo Vasconcelos was scratchy at the other end and survived two large lbw appeals but also got through, 18 not out.The weight of scoreboard pressure was made heavier by a 46-minute blast by Glamorgan’s No. 10 and 11, Tim van der Gugten and Michael Hogan at the start of the day. They flogged 95 runs in 69 balls to boost the visitors’ overnight 452 for 9.Hogan began the fun by clearing his front leg to heave Ben Sanderson into the trees behind deep square and struck another maximum over deep cover to the short side of the ground. He reached just his third first-class fifty in 44 balls before finally holing out to long-off for 54.Van der Gugten also enjoyed himself, uppercutting Nathan Buck for six over third man and driving a boundary wide of long-off in making 30 from 26 balls.

حسم التعادل الإيجابي نتيجة مباراة النصر السعودي والشرطة العراقي، بهدف لكل فريق، وذلك بالمباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم ببطولة دوري أبطال آسيا.

والتقى النصر مع الشرطة العراقي، على أرضية ملعب المدينة الدولي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري (دور المجموعات).

وتقدم سلطان الغنام بالهدف الأول للنصر في الدقيقة 13، بتسديدة رائعة من داخل منطقة الجزاء ارتطمت بالقائم ثم سكنت الشباك.

طالع أيضاً.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي وبرسبوليس في دوري أبطال آسيا

وأدرك فريق الشرطة التعادل في الدقيقة 24 عن طريق محمد داوود، بتسديدة قوية من داخل منطقة الجزاء، مستغلا خطأ دفاعي للاعبي النصر.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي النصر مع فريق الريان في مباراته القادمة بدوري أبطال آسيا يوم 30 سبتمبر الجاري. أهداف مباراة النصر والشرطة في دوري أبطال آسيا

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza defended Mushfiqur Rahim after he hit the stumps with his elbow when trying to run out Kane Williamson. The incident took place in the 12th over of the New Zealand innings when the Ross Taylor – Williamson partnership was at an embryonic stage.As the two batsmen got involved in a mix-up, Tamim Iqbal threw the ball from mid-on with Williamson still well short of the crease and almost given up. But Mushfiqur took the ball in front of the stumps, with his feet behind, and tried to break the stumps. Straight away Tamim and Shakib reacted in a way that suggested they knew what had happened, while the rest of the stadium were cheering the big wicket.Williamson and Taylor went on to add 105 runs for the third wicket, that set New Zealand in the right path.Mushfiqur Rahim’s error hands Kane Williamson a lifeline•Getty Images

Mashrafe, who was also following the ball closely during that incident, said that he wouldn’t blame Mushfiqur for the mistake and expects him to bounce back from it quickly. He said that with the catches he had taken off Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme, Mushfiqur had already started to make amends.”I don’t think we need to go after Mushfiqur,” Mashrafe said. “He was also trying hard to get him out. That throw was straight, but as a keeper it was hard to know if it was straight or not. Suddenly the stumps hit his elbow, but it happens. Mushfiqur is a professional player. He knows how to handle all of this. It is not as if this was the first mistake in Mushfiqur’s life. Every player makes mistakes.WATCH – Highlights of Mushfiqur’s error on Hotstar (India only)”For example, in the last match Soumya dropped a catch, but he has caught many difficult ones before that. I think that it can happen with Mushfiqur, and that it may happen again is a normal thing. We are not here to blame anyone, we are here to give our best. Even after that, the catches that Mushfiqur took off Ross Taylor and Grandhomme, those could have been turning points.”I don’t think there is a need to create pressure for anyone and neither do I think that he needs to think about this. If everything goes well in the next match, you will see that everything is fine again.”Mashrafe said that falling 30 runs short of their desired total was a bigger problem on the day. He said that Mushfiqur himself getting run out after a mix-up with Shakib, after they had added exactly 50 runs for the third wicket, was also a crucial point in the game.”If you don’t score big, you have to take all those chances. It happens in cricket. No one wants to make mistakes. I think the bigger mistakes was when we batted. If we managed to score 30 more runs, it could have been a different game.”That run out [of Mushfiqur while batting] was the turning point. They both got set in that moment. Again, Shakib and Mithun had their partnership broken when they were putting it together. If any of those two partnerships had gone into eighties or a hundred, things would have been different,” he said.

Leeds United could be busy before the transfer deadline, but Fabrizio Romano has shared the Whites’ current off-field "priority".

Leeds transfer rumours

The 49ers Enterprises and Daniel Farke are yet to make their mark in the January transfer window, with just over 24 hours to go until the deadline.
The current focus has been open players leaving Elland Road, with the latest being Leo Hjelde leaving for Sunderland. Luke Ayling and Darko Gyabi have also sealed loan exits to Middlesbrough and Plymouth, whereas Djed Spence’s season-long loan from Spurs was cut short.

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As a result, Leeds are left fairly light in defence, especially at full-back, with a whole host of rumoured targets being linked with a move to Yorkshire, such as Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies, West Ham’s Ben Johnson, Burnley’s Connor Roberts, Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham and Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall.
Everton’s Ben Godfrey is another in contention, with Leeds thought to be planning a new bid for the defender’s services. Alongside a potential late signing, Leeds have also been working on new contracts. Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph have already extended their stay, with attention now turning to Wilfried Gnonto.

Wilfried Gnonto contract update

Phil Hay claimed last week that a new deal at Elland Road for Gnonto was in the pipeline.

Now, talking to GiveMeSport, Romano said that Leeds’ “priority” is on sealing a new deal for Gnonto, which would be “fantastic news”. The transfer expert said it’s close and even claimed paperwork could be completed “in the next hours or days”.
“Leeds’ priority will be to extend Gnonto's contract. This is getting closer and would be fantastic news for Leeds. They're pushing for the final details to be resolved as soon as possible and for the contract to be signed in the next hours or days. So, this is their priority.”

Gnonto has struggled to make his mark in the Championship, scoring just once in 21 second-tier games. However, he did make his mark during his first 12 months at the club in the Premier League, which resulted in rumours over a move to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Therefore, those at Elland Road will know the qualities Gnonto has, so securing a new long-term deal could be a wise move alongside protecting the player’s valuation.
Of course, there was the transfer request saga involving the Italy international over the summer, which saw him missing from a number of games, where at the time, there was no release clause in his deal. That could be something that changes in his new contract, making this one to watch.

Tottenham Hotspur are way ahead in the race to conclude transfer business in January, having wrapped up deals for Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner earlier this month and now focusing on concluding their efforts with a new midfielder.

Ange Postecoglou will want to combat the absences of Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Biossouma (both at AFCON) and the expected departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and a new target has been lined up.

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Posts ByBrogan Clasper Jan 5, 2024 Spurs eyeing midfielder this month

According to Turkish outlet Star Gazetesi – via Football 365 – Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is willing to change his course of action in the transfer market and forge ahead with a move for Fenerbahce playmaker Sebastian Szymanski, with Postecoglou said to be a very keen admirer of the player.

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher has been the No. 1 target this month but it's increasingly unlikely that he will be allowed to leave this month, with Levy now willing to 'do anything' to land Szymanski.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jan 23, 2024

Valued at €35m (£30m), the Poland international has been in fine fettle over the past few years and has reportedly convinced the Lilyewhites to send scouts to watch him in action.

Sebastian Szymanski would banish Giovani Lo Celso

Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, Tottenham have demonstrated their ability to succeed in the Premier League once again after enduring a difficult year that resulted in a lowly eighth-placed finish and Harry Kane's sale to Bayern Munich.

But Postecgolou's appointment has changed all and there is now a real sense that a glowing new chapter has arrived, with the lack of depth the main reason behind a decline in form before the festive period.

Star playmaker James Maddison is soon set to return from injury after a few months on the sidelines and while Szymanski would not disrupt the England star's playing time, it could spell the end for Giovani Lo Celso, who is out of contract in 2025 and has been linked with a move away this season despite enjoying some success in the first-team.

The Argentine is one of the most creative midfielders around and ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, pass completion and progressive passes, the top 8% for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.

However, the 27-year-old has only started four Premier League matches under Postecoglou's leadership despite Maddison's injury and this could pave the way for his exit, with Szymanski the perfect replacement.

Described as an "exceptional" talent by scout Antonio Mango, the 24-year-old signed for his Turkish side in the summer after winning the Dutch Eredivisie with Feyenoord last term,

Since the summer, the creative gem has posted 12 goals and 14 assists across 33 appearances and contributed defensively with an average of 2.3 tackles and 4.3 duels in the Turkish Super Lig, as per Sofascore.

Sebastian Szymanski: Key Characteristics

Strengths

Weaknesses

Long shots

Aerial duels

Key passes

Pass accuracy

Taking set-pieces

Through balls

Defensive contribution

Source: WhoScored

This shows that he can produce the kind of rounded displays requisite for success in the Premier League, and given Lo Celso's relentless tackling, this is a good thing.

He also ranks among the top 4% of midfielders across divisions similar to the Turkish top-flight for goals, the top 5% for assists and the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90, so his attacking approach clearly isn't too shabby either.

Lo Celso is doing a good job this term but Szymanski is younger and just as dynamic, if not more so, and he would be a great addition to a fast-rising Tottenham team.

Batsman warns same tactics used against South Africa may not work against Kiwi swing and pace

Mohammad Isam at The Oval04-Jun-2019How Bangladesh began their World Cup opener against South Africa had a lot to do with the result. Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal put together 60 runs for the opening stand and although both fell within 11.4 overs, they had done more than enough to alleviate any nerves in the dressing room about the first match of a major tournament, in front of a big crowd, in foreign conditions and against a strong bowling attack.Soumya’s 30-ball 42 put the pacey South African attack on the back foot and they couldn’t recover. However, he believes the same method against a different bowling attack may not work all the time. Particularly against New Zealand, Soumya believes that they would have to keep swing and pace in mind.In the ODI series in February, Bangladesh lost four wickets in the first ten overs twice in three games. They lost the series 3-0. In the ten matches since 2015, Bangladesh have only gone through two wicketless first Powerplays against New Zealand, winning one of those games. At the Champions Trophy in Cardiff two years ago, Bangladesh lost three early wickets, after which Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah struck centuries in an incredible fourth-wicket partnership.Bangladesh in first Powerplay since 2015 World Cup

Lost two or more wickets in first Powerplay v New Zealand in four out of nine ODIs

Averaged 48 runs in the first Powerplay

Lost two or more wickets in first Powerplay in 23 out of 62 ODIs

Averaged 40 runs in first Powerplay

Soumya said that going wicketless in the first ten overs, a factor that has helped them in their last four consecutive wins, would take them a long way in gaining confidence against New Zealand. He also said The Oval pitch would be a new one for this game, unlike the South Africa game which was played on a used pitch.”It will certainly have a big impact,” Soumya said. “If we do not lose a wicket in the first ten overs, it will really help us. Their strength is to swing the ball in the first ten overs. They take early wickets. If the wicket assists the batsmen, it will create pressure on them. We may not bat the same way as we did against South Africa. I think the simple fact is the type of wicket would be different.”We played on a used wicket against them, while we will play on a new wicket against New Zealand. Their bowlers have swing with pace, which we have to tackle together. We have to play according to the merit of the ball. If there’s swing, we have to play out the first few overs.”Soumya vowed to try and keep his form intact, having scored three fifties in his last four innings, including his match-winning effort in the tri-series final against New Zealand couple of weeks ago.”I will try to play my way,” he said. “Sometimes it is a quickfire knock, while at other times it may be a long innings. I try to give the team a good platform, whether I am scoring twenties or thirties, or a hundred. I want it to be helpful for the team. It is my personal plan. If my way of batting puts the opposition under pressure, it helps my team. I try to stick to my plan.”One of the major features – and also a change – in his approach has been the choice of shots that Soumya has made. He hardly goes for wild swings or slogs after he has hit a few boundaries, a problem he had between 2016 and 2018. The discipline has so far given him runs, although a more focused approach is required for a better conversion rate.He has scored two ODI hundreds among his twelve 50-plus scores, but a bigger concern is the 16 innings in which he got out between the scores of 20 and 45.But if Soumya, Tamim and the rest of the Bangladesh batsmen can temper their freewheeling strokeplay against New Zealand on Wednesday, even if it is for at least the first ten to twelve overs, Bangladesh may be able to control more of the match.

MatériaMais Notícias

Mais um capítulo tão inusitado quanto constrangedor foi visto no futebol brasileiro em meio a potência que se abate a pandemia de Covid-19 na última segunda-feira (15) com a realização do jogo entre Perilima e Bahia pela Copa do Brasil Sub-20.

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>Reta final da primeira fase: a classificação do Campeonato Baiano

Antes da bola rolar, o clube paraibano foi acometido por um surto de Covid-19 que afetou sete atletas, o gerente de futebol Ramon Smith e o preparador físico Toni Souza. Dentre os citados, o preparador é quem tem a situação mais preocupante, estando ele internado em um hospital na cidade de Campina Grande.

Com esse cenário de devastação, a equipe ainda tentou honrar o compromisso pelo torneio nacional e elencou oito jogadores de linha além do goleiro Lyedson que, na verdade, atua originalmente como volante e precisou ser improvisado de última hora.

Entretanto, além do placar de 4 a 1 estabelecido ainda nos 45 minutos iniciais, como o time da casa perdeu dois jogadores por lesão, não foi possível dar sequência ao duelo no estádio Amigão e o Tricolor da Boa Terra se classificou automaticamente para a próxima fase do torneio.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah showed off his new hairstyle on duty with Egypt and fans think they know the reason for the radical change.

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Salah gets a buzz cut on Egypt dutyFans believe he has had a hair transplantExpecting upturn in form after changeWHAT HAPPENED?

After a rather disappointing end to the season with Liverpool, Salah made his way to the Egyptian national team for their World Cup qualifiers. However, the 31-year-old sent social media into a spiral after he posted pictures of himself without his iconic afro as he donned a military-style buzzcut. Fans have speculated that the Egyptian has undergone a hair transplant procedure after the season which would be the reason for his new look.

AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

Liverpool fan @IndiLFC said: "The Prem isn’t ready for hair transplant Salah next season"

X user @_wingplay made a keen observation and said: "cats denying he hasn't had a hair transplant are hilarious, analysis really shows he's managed to overcome stage 3 hair loss by 24° inclination"

@SeanDOlfc joked: "We can’t get rid of Salah after this hair transplant. The adrenaline boost of playing without worrying about the cameras catching his corners will de-age him by 2 years."

He also posted: "I reckon Salah is getting a hair transplant with the 6 weeks off. His Afro was turning into Krusty the Clown with the corners going"

X user @deputychino said: "If he is still with Liverpool, the premier league is on notice. Full fro Salah will not be stopped"

@SMXLFC posted on X: "They’re not ready for hair transplant Salah. He’s running it back"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

This is not the first time that Salah has sent Liverpool fans into a frenzy with a new look. In 2020, the Egyptian cropped his hair ahead of football's return to action following the COVID-19 global pandemic.

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WHAT NEXT FOR SALAH?

Liverpool's star man will now help Egypt in their quest to make the 2026 World Cup, they will take on Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau over the next week in their World Cup qualifiers.

In early April, there was a growing sense that Jurgen Klopp was treading on thin ice, with Liverpool's iffy patch enlarging into a seasonal malfunction, the questions concerning the German's future at the helm being asked.

After years of illustrious success, remarkable efforts to win the whole gamut of major honours (barring the Europa League) had been achieved and Klopp had succeeded in a Premier League era dominated by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who may well have exerted uninterrupted supremacy across the board had Liverpool not picked away at silverware.

Last year's maladroit midfield has been reshaped and re-energised, and while the defence is generally expected to receive priority this year, Klopp appears to be eyeing the final piece of the puzzle for his Anfield engine room.

Liverpool's search for a midfielder

According to Portuguese outlet Bola VIP, Liverpool are interested in signing FC Porto star Alan Varela just six months after the midfielder joined the club from Argentinian giants Boca Juniors.

It's revealed that Liverpool have already made an approach for the 22-year-old and that Manchester City are set to provide some meaty competition for his signature.

It's important to note that Porto have no interest in selling their player but will acquiesce if his €70m (£60m) release clause is met.

Alan Varela's style of play

Varela established himself as one of South America's most promising prospects across 111 appearances with Boca and led talent scout Jacek Kulig to name him a "Rolls-Royce" calibre midfielder before his move to Portugal in 2023.

An elite distributor, Varela is not the most relentless holding midfielder in the business but is technically sublime and blends that dual role of orchestrator and anchor superbly.

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As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across divisions similar to Liga Portugal for pass completion, the top 16% for passes attempted, the top 10% for blocks and the top 23% for interceptions per 90.

While not ranking particularly highly for tackling, Varela is robust in his protection of the backline and his constancy in blocking shots bespeaks his spatial awareness.

# Passing

# Blocking

# Long shots

Source: WhoScored

This season, as per Sofascore, he has completed 88% of his passes across 14 league appearances in his deep-lying role, averaging 4.7 ball recoveries per game to emphasise his high energy.

Playing his part industriously, Varela could prove to be the perfect midfield partner for Trent Alexander-Arnold down the line, with the influential Anfield stalwart starting to occupy space in the centre of the park to maximise his celestial range of passing.

Liverpool are already up to the hilt in talented midfielders but this signing but Varela would add a new dimension and counterbalance Alexander-Arnold when the England international skates into the middle of the pitch and wreaks devastation, having been heralded as a "genius" by journalist Neil Jones.

The 25-year-old right-back is still deployed in the full-back position but is increasingly drifting centrally to pull the strings and it's clear to see why, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues for assists, shot-creating actions and passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90.

By playing a double-pivot in the future and marrying the Reds vice-captain and Varela's abilities, Klopp could craft a lasting machine in the middle to work in tandem to clinch silverware in abundance for years to come.

Given that Klopp has reportedly been enamoured with Varela's style for several years now, ever since he was at Boca, it might just be worth investing in his services and handing Alexander-Arnold the perfect partner as he moves, inexorably it seems, towards a permanent future in midfield.