Jurgen Klopp is building a seriously dangerous team at Anfield and though he might want to add quality to his first team, he is also keeping a keen eye on improving the talent at his academy and one player constantly on his radar is Italian sensation, Nicolo Barella.
Liverpool One Of Many Keeping Tabs:
The 20-year old is one of the most exciting talents on display in Serie A at the moment and has been the first choice for his current side Cagliari this season. He is a transfer target for Juventus, who could make a move for him at the end of the season but English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool are also keeping a close eye on the youngster.
The Italian outfit want £44m for his services and are open to selling him at that price in the summer. So should Liverpool meet his valuation?
Who Is Barella?
A product of the academy at Cagliari, the club in his hometown, Barella broke into the first team in 2014 but only managed to establish himself in the senior squad in the previous season, after he came back from his loan stint at Como, another Italian domestic outfit.
His performances have seen him make 18 Serie A starts this season, where he has managed an assist and a couple of goals, playing as a central-midfielder. An attack-minded player who is aggressive in his approach, he loves to break up the opposition attacks and immediately look to start off a counter.
He is not a great finisher but will build on it. But what makes him a dangerous player is his ability to dribble past opponents in the middle of the park. He is comfortable taking his man on while his movement with the ball at his feet often draws a foul. He has a spark in his game that can change the outcome in an instance and at just 20, he is already a match-winner in the making.
He has three appearances for the Italian national side and is not too far away from the senior squad. He would want to stay back in Serie A for another season at least but a move to England can seriously help him take off.
Chances At Liverpool:
The Reds have an envious attack but they will have to work a lot on the quality of their midfield and the backline. The midfield lost a talisman in Philippe Coutinho and could lose another in Emre Can. Barella can be a long-term replacement for the latter and though he might not be able to break into the first team straight away, will give Klopp options in the midfield.
Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic is seen as a star that can take over the no.6 spot in the side and Barella can compete for the two midfield positions ahead of him. If Klopp is convinced that he is the right man for Liverpool, the 20-year old should blindly move to Anfield and leave his future in the German’s hands.