An update has emerged on Liverpool and their bid to bolster their midfield options ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign…
What’s the latest on Romeo Lavia to Liverpool?
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Reds are ready to open negotiations with Southampton over a deal to sign central midfielder Romeo Lavia.
He has also said that the club have already held talks with the player’s representatives as the Belgian is one of their top targets heading into the rest of the summer transfer window.
The reporter tweeted: “Liverpool have been in contact with the agents of Roméo Lavia for 2 weeks – still ongoing. He is high on the list, considered ‘top talent’ in his position. Sources expect LFC to open talks with Southampton soon – as it there will be competition from Arsenal and Chelsea.”
James Pearce, from The Athletichave suggested the club will only be chasing the £50m-rated ace as a third midfield addition and the Daily Mail have claimed they are willing to part ways with Thiago Alcantara, which would then open the door for the Saints star to come in.
Where would Romeo Lavia fit in at Liverpool?
The Belgian manager was predominantly deployed as a defensive midfielder at St. Mary’s last season, meaning he could line up at the base of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, with two players sitting ahead of him.
Having a ball-winning fighter in the number six position could make new signing Alexis Mac Allister, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this summer, unplayable next term.
As you can see in the Opta chart above, the Argentina international is one of the outstanding players in his position when it comes to taking shots and scoring goals.
The 24-year-old showcased his quality in the final third when he scored ten goals in 31 Premier League starts for the Seagulls last season. To highlight just how good that figure was, no Liverpool midfielder managed more than Curtis Jones’ record three league strikes, suggesting Mac Allister has the potential to become Klopp’s main attacking outlet in that area of the pitch.
Lavia’s presence in the middle of the park could give the World Cup winner the freedom he needs to hurt the opposition, as the 19-year-old has proven to be an impressive ball-winner at Premier League level.
The graphic below, provided by Opta, shows that the Southampton talent excels at winning back possession for his team, which is the perfect quality for a defensive midfielder to possess as he is capable of consistently breaking up attacks.
Lavia, who was celebrated as an “absolute monster” by writer Benjy Nurick, has also averaged more tackles, interceptions and blocks per 90 (5.67) over the past 365 days in the Men’s Big Five and European competitions compared to Liverpool’s current number six – Fabinho (4.63).
These stats suggest that the former Manchester City man has the quality to be an upgrade on the Brazil international when it comes to breaking up play and stopping the opposition.
Having a player with the ability to be a phenomenal screen in front of the defense would then allow the other midfielders, most notably Mac Allister, to get forward without having to worry too much about their defensive responsibilities.
Such a player can therefore make them unplayable as they constantly burst forward to make an impact in the final third.
