Mateo Kovacic to Liverpool?
Liverpool seem to be ramping up their investment in their squad, after signing three free agents this season they are now willing to go into the cheque books and have lined up a bid for Inter Milan’s star midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
The 21-year-old Croatian midfielder has been linked with a move to Liverpool since the end of the season and if rumours are to be believed, the club have made a couple of bids for the talented player. Kovacic on his part has not made any sort of inclination for a move away from the San Siro, however the Liverpool project and the chance to play in the Premier League could be something that Kovacic would be interested in, well he could obviously do a Sterling and then ask for a move from Liverpool, once he signs that is.
Liverpool have been looking to revamp their squad big time and Mario Balotelli could be the player used as the weight that could clinch the deal. Inter Milan are coached by his father like figure, Roberto Mancini and a reunion could help both Inter Milan and Balotelli regain their lost glamour over the past season. Liverpool already have a great, young and talented midfielder in Coutinho, so where would Kovacic play?
The replacement for the Gerrard role?
The talk of the town has been that Kovacic would play in Gerrard’s role, but his game is versatile enough for him to take up a few positions in the current Liverpool system. While Kovacic can attack and defend, it is his passing ability that makes him stand out against opponents. He has an eye for making that important pass and cutting defences apart, something that Liverpool greatly missed last season.
Kovacic also has the ability to carry the ball forward and take on defenders; he has great ball control and dribbling ability. He probably would play behind the attacking trio that Liverpool use. Playing behind the main striker and two wingers would work greatly for Mateo but he could take a more central role as well.
Kovacic is good enough to play in the centre of midfield with Jordan Henderson but the major problem from this would be the fact that there would be absolutely no defensive cover, something that Lucas provides to the back four and defensive cover is something that Liverpool greatly need, especially after the debacle of last season.
Kovacic is by no means the complete article yet, his physical presence is almost non-existent and that is something he would have to work on but he is one of the brightest players in Europe and that would fit in well with Liverpool’s youth policy that FSG believe in, however he would have to hit the ground running as we have seen many Liverpool players, especially last season flatter to deceive. Kovacic does have the ability and talent to become something special, would he be willing to do it in a Red jersey? That is something that every Liverpool fan would want to know.