Liverpool frontrunners for Diaz companion who’s “probably the greatest PL gamers”

Andy Robertson lower a forlorn determine as he performed an compulsory post-match interview as Scotland captain final weekend. The Tartan Military had didn’t muster sufficient high quality to make historical past and develop into the primary Scotland group ever to succeed in the knockout section of the European Championships.

Robertson has endured an injury-hit 2023/24 marketing campaign off the again of Liverpool‘s disastrous 2022/23 marketing campaign, the place Jurgen Klopp‘s facet missed out on Champions League qualification and suffered a reasonably staggering collapse within the Premier League.

Aged 30, ‘Robbo’ might effectively have seen his final likelihood, his golden likelihood, to make historical past along with his nation fly by, and his frame of mind was mirrored throughout a disconsolate dialogue following Hungary’s last-gasp interview.

He has, nonetheless, loved an illustrious profession with Liverpool; signed from Hull Metropolis for simply £10m again in 2017, the left-back was one of many staples of Klopp’s tenure, having now accomplished 297 appearances, notched 76 aim contributions and gained the clear sweep of silverware.

Beginning simply 18 Premier League matches final season, nonetheless, there’s an opportunity that new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will search a long-term successor sooner or later, with an thrilling goal already being lined up.

Liverpool lining up Robertson inheritor

In line with journalist Abdel Hamed, Rayan Ait-Nouri is ready to go away Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer time and Liverpool are thought-about to be the frontrunners. Hamed, who interviewed the full-back earlier this 12 months, has additionally claimed that Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis are additionally attentive to the state of affairs.

Regardless of signing a brand new contract at Anfield in 2023, Kostas Tsimikas, aged 28, may go away this summer time after failing to ever actually cement an everyday beginning berth on Merseyside, doubtlessly opening up the chance to land Ait-Nouri.

The Wolves defender impressed within the Premier League final season. He wouldn’t come low-cost, with the Outdated Gold putting a £60m price ticket on his identify.

How Rayan Ait-Nouri would slot in at Liverpool

Slot has been welcomed to Liverpool given his front-footed, purposeful press and emphasis on sharp technical ability and fluidity. The Dutchman has drawn comparisons to his Liverpool predecessor, which performed an element in FSG opting to nominate him, although Slot has truly proclaimed himself to be “a management freak” like Pep Guardiola.

Liverpool supporters can anticipate stylistic remnants of the previous period in Slot’s model however he’ll change sure issues, with overlapping full-backs and inversions into midfield one thing discernible throughout his days with Feyenoord.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has already demonstrated an inherent ability in finishing such a transition, maximising his superlative passing vary in the course of the park, however Robertson would possibly wrestle to duplicate it, performing a extra conventional, wide-placed function.

Ait-Nouri, nonetheless, has the type of athletic and dynamic method that might see him thrive. As per FBref, he ranks among the many prime 20% of full-backs throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for targets, the highest 14% for move completion, the highest 2% for profitable take-ons and the highest 13% for tackles per 90.

This signifies a broad ability set, demonstrating his breakneck high quality, efficiently taking over opponents and leaving them in his wake.

It is no marvel that the £10k-per-week ace has been described as “one of many Premier League’s finest gamers in 2024” by to Sky Sky Sports activities’ Dougie Critchley, finishing 87% of his passes within the English prime flight whereas averaging 1.6 dribbles, 4.1 ball recoveries and 6.3 profitable duels per recreation, as per Sofascore.

He may additionally show to forge a lethal partnership down the left flank with Luis Diaz, who has been linked with a transfer away in latest weeks however is presently thought-about a core member of Slot’s first group.

How Ait-Nouri may thrive with Luis Diaz

Diaz is on Barcelona’s radar however is unlikely to maneuver to Camp Nou given the La Liga outfit’s monetary struggles. Contracted till 2027, the Colombian has a €75m (£63m) price ticket and this makes his departure unlikely.

Fleet-footed and indefatigable, Diaz lacks finish product however he performs an essential function at Liverpool and this may very well be magnified beneath Slot, whose system is reliant on turbo-charged broad success.

So then, enter Ait-Nouri. The Algeria worldwide’s buccaneering model is one thing to behold and would enable him to bounce off the 27-year-old winger, additionally demonstrating the tactical flexibility to float inside when referred to as upon, one thing that might see his innate aim menace be honed at Anfield.

Diaz, whereas considerably wasteful in entrance of aim, ranks among the many prime 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for move completion and the highest 12% for shot-creating actions per 90, so he may very well be the supply of help wanted for the left-back’s success.

Robertson is clearly a high-class defender and he’ll really feel that he can play an influential function in Slot’s system over the following few years, however Liverpool would possibly remorse lacking out on a proficient star in Ait-Nouri this summer time, for he may simply transfer to a Premier League rival if the pursuit is squandered.

As soon as hailed for his “phenomenal” begin to life in England by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, Liverpool should now present him with the platform to take the essential subsequent step in what hints towards turning into an illustrious profession.

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FSG would make fairly the assertion by getting this one over the road.