Liverpool, bidding farewell to Fabinho last summer, sought a replacement for the influential midfielder. Wataru Endo, signed from Stuttgart, was expected to fill the void. However, Jurgen Klopp leaned towards Alexis Mac Allister initially, granting him pivotal roles until injury struck against Sheffield United. This paved the way for Endo to showcase his talents, securing a string of six consecutive Premier League starts before departing for the Asian Cup.
While Liverpool currently leads the Premier League, Klopp aims to secure a young defensive midfielder for the team’s long-term plans. Morten Frendrup, 22, from Genoa, has emerged as a potential target. With reports suggesting Liverpool’s lead in acquiring him over Juventus, the Danish player, likened to a “destroyer” by talent scouts, showcases an impressive defensive prowess.
Frendrup’s statistics in Serie A this season highlight his defensive capabilities. Leading in total tackles, tackles won, and dribblers tackled, he displays a knack for disrupting opposition play and averting threats. Additionally, ranking high in blocks, he exhibits a willingness to handle the gritty aspects of the game. However, concerns arise regarding his in-possession performance, notably his pass completion rate, which falls below the expected percentile for similar players in comparable leagues.
Assessing Morten Frendrup for Liverpool
While Frendrup excels defensively, his passing accuracy and progressive passing stats raise concerns. Compared to Endo’s superior passing accuracy and progressive play, Frendrup’s deficiencies in distribution become apparent. Liverpool faces a balancing act between defensive strength and offensive contribution in their pursuit of a new defensive midfielder.
Observing Frendrup’s development in addressing these weaker areas remains crucial. Liverpool must weigh the trade-off between defensive solidity and offensive prowess when seeking Fabinho’s successor. As they continue monitoring Frendrup’s progress, the Reds aim to find a player who can bolster both defensive resilience and contribute positively in possession for the team’s benefit.
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