Arne Slot Could Land His Answer to Ugarte with Late Liverpool Move for £51m “Machine”
Up next, Brentford. Liverpool are set to host Thomas Frank’s Bees at Anfield on Sunday, still energized from their win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League’s opening match.
Liverpool also began their season on a strong note, enduring a challenging first half at Portman Road before coming alive in the second half to secure a victory over newly-promoted Ipswich Town. Ryan Gravenberch stood out, hinting at his potential in a deep-lying midfield role.
| Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool: LFC Match Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Key Stats | 1st Half | 2nd half |
| Goals scored | 0 | 2 |
| Big chances | 0 | 6 |
| Shots (on target) | 3 (0) | 15 (5) |
| Possession | 58% | 66% |
| Dribbles completed | 2/8 (25%) | 9/14 (64%) |
| Tackles won | 5/12 (40%) | 4/8 (50%) |
| Duels won | 22/53 (42%) | 24/44 (55%) |
| Ball recoveries | 26 | 19 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
Gravenberch, 21, has shown his versatility as a midfielder but stood out particularly in the No. 6 role. His performance suggests he could be an effective in-house solution to one of Liverpool’s key challenges.
The Dutch midfielder is expected to maintain his place in the starting line-up on Sunday, having received recognition from The Athletic’s James Pearce for his excellent display in the holding role.
While Slot also has Wataru Endo available, it is clear that Liverpool still requires a dedicated holding midfielder.
Delaying the acquisition of a long-term holding midfielder until next year could be a risky move, even if Gravenberch, Endo, and Alexis Mac Allister manage to hold their own for now.
Mac Allister, for instance, thrived in a more adaptable role during the latter part of the 2023/24 season and was celebrated by pundit Joe Cole as a “superstar” capable of playing in various positions.
Meanwhile, 31-year-old Endo played a vital role in Klopp’s final season but saw limited action under Slot during pre-season and was left on the bench for Liverpool’s season opener.
With top title contenders bolstered by the addition of Rodri and Declan Rice, two of Europe’s leading midfielders, and Manchester United on the verge of securing Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain—an imminent move that Fabrizio Romano has recently described as “almost completed”—Slot faces the challenge of finding a solution.
Liverpool’s attempt to acquire Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad earlier this month was unsuccessful. Transfer expert David Ornstein has indicated that the Reds are “not expecting to sign an alternative no. 6.” This cautious approach is a result of FSG’s careful consideration to avoid hastily signing an unsuitable player, with the club’s leadership believing that a more measured strategy will yield better results in the long run.
The Euro 2024 champion is not the only versatile and resilient holding midfielder available. Liverpool is also rumored to be interested in Atalanta’s Ederson this summer.
In July, GIVEMESPORT reported that sporting director Richard Hughes was contemplating making a bid. It’s possible that Zubimendi was the preferred target at the time, but the interest in this alternative player could still persist.
If that’s the case, time is running short to finalize a deal. However, with a reported price tag of €60m (£51m), the Brazilian might be an ideal and affordable addition.
Why Ederson Could Be the Perfect fit for Arne Slot
Ederson was lauded as a “machine” in the midfield by journalist Carlo Garganese following Atalanta’s impressive Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen in May. His performances have demonstrated that he deserves a spot in Liverpool’s first team.
Notably, Atalanta eliminated Klopp’s squad on their way to the final, with the 25-year-old playing a key role. His tenacity and ability to control the game have been evident on Anfield’s pitch, making him a smart signing considering the challenges of the upcoming season.
| Ederson: UEL Stats vs Liverpool (2023/24) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | Anfield, 1st leg (0-3) | Gewiss Stadium, 2nd leg: (0-1) |
| Minutes played | 90′ | 75′ |
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Touches | 30 | 41 |
| Pass completion | 12/17 (71%) | 19/23 (83%) |
| Key passes | 0 | 1 |
| Dribble attempts | 0/0 | 1/3 |
| Tackles won | 2 | 3 |
| Clearances | 2 | 3 |
| Duels won | 3/6 | 7/11 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
Ranking among the top 13% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 20% for progressive passes, and the top 15% for tackles per 90 minutes, according to FBref, he possesses the well-rounded skillset that Slot highly values.
Additionally, his strong physical presence would significantly bolster Liverpool’s midfield, characterized by relentless movement and dominance in the center of the pitch.
Ederson netted six goals in Serie A last season, indicating that while his primary role would be as a defensive anchor, he can also contribute offensively.
Liverpool will be keen to land an immediate answer to United’s imminent arrival of Ugarte, whose strong tackling skills made a significant impact in Ligue 1 last year, with an impressive average of 3.9 tackles per game.
Liverpool’s Wataru Endo averaged only 1.7 tackles per Premier League match last season and won just 41% of his ground duels. This statistic highlights the need for an upgrade in this position.
On the other hand, while Ederson may not match the intense defensive output of Ugarte—who averaged 2.3 tackles per league match last season—he still won 56% of his ground duels. Ederson’s style is more complete compared to both Endo and Ugarte, who won 53% of his ground duels last season.
The incoming Manchester United midfielder ranks among the top 6% of his positional peers for pass completion. However, he also falls into the bottom 25% for both progressive passes and through balls per 90 minutes.
Given this context, it is perhaps not surprising that there have been no credible reports of Liverpool’s interest in Ugarte this summer. His style simply wouldn’t fit into Slot’s system.
Instead, Liverpool may now focus on acquiring a player who could effectively answer Manchester United’s target. This new addition could elevate Liverpool’s first team, bringing them closer to the pinnacle of European football.
In other Liverpool news, Jamie Carragher Names Two Man City Stars He’d Love to See Sign for Liverpool
