Liverpool seem to be heading in the right track, with an FA Cup quarter final against relatively easy opposition at the weekend and in some great form in the league, they could even end the season in the top 4, something which seemed only as a dream midway through the season. Liverpool have been revitalized in a new formation and with a lot of players finally living up to their potential but there has always been a kink in Liverpool’s Armour and teams can exploit that to its full extent.
The one position that Liverpool need a bit of help in this formation is the central defensive midfielder role, Emre Can has been playing as a defender to provide cover for the rather poor form of Dejan Lovren and other injuries, Joe Allen has been playing alongside Jordan Henderson but does not provide the same protection as Lucas Leiva, who has been injured for quite a while. Liverpool are in the race to sign William Carvalho (also a transfer target for Arsenal) of Sporting Lisbon, the 22 year old Portuguese would be an ideal acquisition for the Reds and here are 3 reasons why:
A proper defensive midfielder to provide cover
As stated above, Liverpool do not really have cover for their defensive midfielders. Lucas Leiva had been excellent till his injury and with Emre Can playing out of position, they only have Joe Allen to try and play as a defensive midfielder but he cannot put in the tackles that a defensive midfielder can. Carvalho would be able to provide the steel that Liverpool need in the midfield and also help out Jordan Henderson.
The Englishman would not have to play in as deep a position as he currently does to accommodate Allen.
Quality for a good price
Carvalho only 22 years of age is contracted till 2018 at Sporting and could end up at a club for a fee of around £15-20 million, that would not be such a massive buy for any club in this transfer market scenario. Carvalho is one of the top young defensive midfielders out there and players in that role and mould are a rarity in this day and age of football.
Liverpool more or less have a strong squad which only needs a couple of additions here and there and this is just one position which needs strengthening. Steven Gerrard is another player who will leave at the end of the season and while Carvalho is no Gerrard and probably will never be, he does provide some cover for Lucas and has the ability and potential to become even better than the Brazilian.
A versatile player
The need to have versatile players who can play in a range of positions has been highlighted time and time again for Brendan Rodgers; he has tinkered and tweaked not only the formation of the team but also the positions as to where the players play.
Emre Can is a prime example of that and even Raheem Sterling to an extent, William Carvalho although is a defensive midfielder, he can play a central midfielder’s role and even the role of a centre back if that is the requirement. Carvalho has the potential to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and if Liverpool do sign him, it would be quite a steal from the Reds.