Liverpool Could Land “Bullish” £40m Ibrahima Konate Upgrade Likened to Roberto Carlos
Liverpool must strengthen their squad this summer. Arne Slot has reassured fans that FSG is committed to enhancing the Anfield first team, confirming in his first interview as head coach that he is in regular contact with sporting director Richard Hughes.
Jurgen Klopp has left Liverpool in a strong position, with a talented and expansive squad buoyed by winning the Carabao Cup and securing a third-place finish in the Premier League, which sees them returning to the Champions League.
However, reinforcements are needed in various positions. Central defence, in particular, needs attention, as Virgil van Dijk is currently paired only with the inconsistent Ibrahima Konate and the young talent Jarell Quansah, following the expiration of Joel Matip’s contract this month.
Leny Yoro is FSG’s top target, but it is widely accepted that the Lille prodigy is likely to end up at Real Madrid. Nevertheless, there are some intriguing alternatives emerging.
Liverpool Targeting New Center-back
As reported by Football Insider earlier this week, Liverpool are vying to sign Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, who is valued at £40 million.
Liverpool hope to leverage Nottingham Forest’s need for PSR compliance, and Murillo’s left-footedness and modern skills make him a potential asset for the team.
Chelsea are also interested in Murillo and have recently made inquiries about a deal, according to The Telegraph. Liverpool will need to step up their efforts if they want to secure the 21-year-old this summer.
Why Liverpool Should Sign Murillo
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp remarked that Murillo “turns into prime Roberto Carlos” in the Forest defense, highlighting his exceptional skills and technique, which set him apart.
With a deft left foot and a strong, assertive playing style, he is among the top 15% of center-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 2% for successful take-ons, and the top 3% for clearances per 90 minutes, according to FBref.
Murillo completed 78% of his passes in the previous Premier League season. According to Sofascore, he averaged 1.6 tackles, 4.6 ball recoveries, and 5.8 clearances per game.
His performances were notable, highlighted by key moments like Liverpool’s victory at the City Ground in March, where Darwin Nunez’s late header secured the win.
| Murillo Stats: Forest 0-1 Liverpool (02/03/24) | |
|---|---|
| Stats | # |
| Minutes played | 90′ |
| Touches | 51 |
| Accurate passes | 30/40 (75%) |
| Long balls | 3/11 |
| Dribble attempts | 1/1 |
| Duels won | 3/4 |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Blocked shots | 2 |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
Murillo, sliding in on the left side of Liverpool’s central defence, may turn out to be an ideal match for Slot’s Liverpool, with his progressive and “bullish” style, as noted by scout Antonio Mango even making him an ideal alternative to Konate.
Despite Konate’s undeniable talent, he occasionally struggles with inconsistency, as evidenced by his downturn in form towards the end of the 2023/24 season.
In contrast, Murillo demonstrated remarkable reliability, avoiding any direct errors in his 32 Premier League appearances for Liverpool last term.
This underscores his composed demeanor and ability to perform consistently under challenging circumstances, particularly notable during his time at the City Ground.
Liverpool would secure a unique talent in Murillo, whose promising Premier League career has only just begun. His addition could potentially see Van Dijk move to his preferred right side, enhancing defensive stability.
FSG must prioritise welcoming Murillo this summer to bolster squad depth and bring dynamism crucial for achieving success.
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Reportedly Overtake Rivals in Race for In-demand Premier League Star
