Slot's new Van Dijk: £40m "monster" wants to join Liverpool over Arsenal

[ad_1] Although Liverpool have strengthened effectively in the summertime switch window, Arne Slot probably wants extra components if he is to guide his facet to glory as soon as once more subsequent season.

The Anfield facet received the Premier League final season after Jurgen Klopp stepped down from his iconic put up. Nobody thought this comparatively unknown coach from Feyenoord might carry the load of a legend's departure, however Slot has proved himself the proper man to guide this membership, championing the virtues which can be rooted so deep within the Merseyside soil.

And he is been rewarded within the switch market. FSG have smashed Liverpool's switch file to signal Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for an preliminary £100m determine, which might rise to a British-record £116m.

Slot additionally has a brand new full-back pairing to work with, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez each impressing throughout Liverpool's emotional pre-season outing in opposition to Preston North Finish.

Nonetheless, Liverpool's head coach might effectively really feel that there is nonetheless one thing lacking in his rearguard, with the Merseysiders' curiosity in a brand new centre-back effectively documented.

The most recent on Liverpool's seek for a defender Again in Might, Liverpool's chiefs had been engaged on a deal to signal Dean Huijsen, 20, after his spectacular breakout yr with Bournemouth within the Premier League.

The issue was, most high-profile golf equipment throughout the continent needed the Spain worldwide, and that is an inventory which included Actual Madrid, who certainly received the race after activating his £50m launch clause.

This in itself is not detrimental to the Liverpool trigger, however now that Jarell Quansah has accomplished a £35m switch to Bayer Leverkusen, it feels essential that the Reds push forward and signal a substitute.

Nicely, FSG have gotten one in thoughts all proper.

In response to studies relayed by The Mirror, Liverpool are making ready to launch a £40m bid for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, seeking to benefit from the participant's contract state of affairs, coming into the ultimate yr of his deal at Selhurst Park.

Guehi is known to favour a transfer to Anfield over Arsenal and Newcastle, although he desires assurances over his taking part in time.

On condition that the England worldwide, 25, is prepared to run his contract down if push involves shove, this might show to be a fragile state of affairs, with Slot little question cautious about coming into the forthcoming marketing campaign with restricted choices in defence.

Why Liverpool need Marc Guehi Guehi is a strong and dependable defender who has constructed himself up over quite a few years at Crystal Palace, becoming a member of from Chelsea in a £18m deal 4 years in the past.

His rounded technical qualities and misleading aggression counsel he could be good for this high-flying Liverpool facet, and given his two-footedness and management abilities, he may even be the person to succeed Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk is without doubt one of the best defenders of his era, instrumental in constructing Klopp's dynasty at Liverpool. To exchange him could be a frightening thought for any positional peer, however Guehi has what it takes, having been hailed as a "monster in defence" by reporter Bobby Manzi.

Guehi has spent a number of years honing his abilities within the Premier League, and now he is able to take the leap to the very best degree. Van Dijk did one thing related.

Nonetheless, one might truly say that Guehi is extra completed than the Liverpool skipper was throughout his Southampton days. In spite of everything, Guehi captained the Eagles to their unbelievable FA Cup triumph, defeating Manchester Metropolis within the Might remaining at Wembley.

However taking a look at their respective performances throughout the previous time period within the Premier League, it is clear that Guehi nonetheless has a degree or two to scale earlier than he can declare to be in the identical ballpark as Van Dijk.

Prem 24/25 - Guehi vs Van Dijk

Stats (* per recreation)

Guehi

Van Dijk

Matches (begins)

34 (34)

37 (37)

Targets

3

Assists

2

1

Clear sheets

11

14

Touches*

64.9

90.4

Go completion

84%

92%

Key passes*

0.5

0.3

Dribbles*

0.4

0.1

Ball recoveries*

4.3

3.1

Tackles + interceptions*

2.6

2.5

Clearances*

4.6

5.1

Duels (received)*

4.9 (59%)

4.7 (69%)

Errors made

2

4

Information through Sofascore

However, little question, the seeds are there, and two seasons alongside the legend might show to sharpen his instruments to the keenest edge, permitting him to turn into a famous person on Merseyside.

The Palace man is technically sound and artistic in addition to. Furthermore, he would emulate Van Dijk in arriving from a divisional rival decrease down the ladder, with the Netherlands captain becoming a member of Klopp's trigger from Southampton approach again in January 2018 for a £75m price - a world file for a defender on the time.

Guehi's ball-playing recreation, truly, is sort of underrated, for he's not jsut assured however outstanding in his passing and motion, making issues occur as he coolly collects and picks out forward-running teammates, be that with a swept cross or by dribbling upfield and taking part in a tidy layoff.

As per FBref, the one-time Chelsea prospect ranked among the many high 12% of centre-backs throughout Europe's high 5 leagues over the previous yr for shot-creating actions and the highest 2% for via balls, illustrating that Van Dijk-esque high quality that will show so helpful for Slot.

Shot-creating actions are items of play that result in a shot. These embody moments comparable to a cross, take-on or foul being drawn.

However pedantry issues for a thoughts as analytical as Michael Edwards'. Guehi has been described as "a kind of versatile centre-backs who can play each side equally as comfortably" by analyst Ben Mattinson, and his propensity for the left facet solely fuels the argument that he may very well be Slot's new model of Van Dijk.

Van Dijk is irreplaceable, however in Guehi, Liverpool may simply signal the closest factor to a successor potential. He is dynamic, combative and commanding, embodying the qualities required of a famous person centre-half at Anfield.