Why Bringing Gabriel Barbosa In On Loan Is A Good Move For Liverpool
Liverpool are pondering over making a loan move for Inter Milan forward Gabriel Barbosa, according to reports from the Bleacher Report. The Reds have had a long-standing interest in the Brazilian and were monitoring him last summer as well, before he moved to Inter. But after a year filled with struggles in Italy, Liverpool are planning to give him a chance to get back on track at Anfield.
Gabriel Barbosa, popularly known as ‘Gabigol’, has been heralded as one of the brightest young players coming through in Brazil and was being chased by a host of clubs last summer, including Liverpool. However, the 20-year old opted to move to Inter and things have hardly gone as per plans for him.
Not long after he signed, Gabigol saw the manager he was signed by, Frank de Boer, get the sack. He was removed from the Italian club’s squad for the UEFA Europa League. Having failed to get into the team under De Boer’s replacement, Stefano Pioli as well, the 20-year old just made 10 appearances throughout the season for the Nerrazzuri, scoring just one goal.
However, it would be wrong to judge Gabigol by just that one bad season in Italy. While he may have struggled to adapt at the Giuseppe Meazza, a lot of it also had to do with the instability surrounding the club and the managerial merry-go-round that has been going on at Inter.
Not very long ago, the youngster was starring for Santos in Brazil, scoring 24 goals and registering 12 assists in over 80 appearances for the club. Gabigol was also a key part of the Brazil team that won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finding the back of the net on 2 occasions in 6 games. He has scored twice already in 4 games for the Selecao senior team.
So, there are no questions over his abilities and the prodigious talent that he is. But, it is the settling period away from his homeland that has gone wrong by a mile for Gabigol in Italy. And Liverpool can help him get his career kicking back on.
There are no shortage of attacking options at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal with the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho in the ranks. Then there is the return to fitness of Danny Ings along with the likes of Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge. And add to that the two summer signings in the form of Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke, there is a question of where Barbosa would fit in at Liverpool.
The fact that he can play anywhere in the attack, on the flanks, centrally, and also operate in the sort of a false nine role that Klopp so much loves in his team, will make him a great option to have in the ranks. Especially so with nobody apart from Firmino looking the part in a striker’s role. Gabigol will be able to provide cover for the host of big stars in the Liverpool squad.
The 20-year old is speedy and has a box full of tricks with the ball at his feet. He is strong in the air and on the ground, and will get goals in large numbers if he finds his feet. And that should be much easier for him at Liverpool, with his compatriots Firmino and Coutinho available to help him settle down. With it being just a loan deal, Liverpool don’t have a lot to lose and they should definitely explore the possibility of bringing in Gabigol.
Comments are closed.