Liverpool still haven’t signed anyone in the January transfer window but it has been revealed that the Reds enquired with Brescia for their midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Brescia are in a good position in the Serie B, having collected 35 points in 19 games, and Tonali, despite being just 18, has played a key role in the side so far this season.
According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, AS Roma contacted Brescia owner Massimo Cellino, who revealed that Liverpool too had contacted him regarding the midfielder.
The Reds have a good enough midfield and the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should help Jürgen Klopp in the second half of the season, but the potential acquisition of Tonali would be a brilliant long-term addition and here’s why.
Sandro Tonali to Liverpool – The next Xabi Alonso?
Tonali has shown good promise in the early stages of his career and his ability has often seen him compared to Andrea Pirlo.
Still only a teenager, Tonali has a long way to go before he can emulate the Italian great, or perhaps Xabi Alonso, the player he comes closest to if you look at it from a Liverpool perspective.
Much like Alonso and Pirlo, Tonali has the ability to pick a pass from his own half to set his team on the front-foot. His distribution for someone who is just 18 is pretty incredible.
Tonali likes getting forward often and he’s got the drive about him to test opposition midfielders and defenders. The composure he shows while picking his passes is something that belies his age, however, as rarely does he make the wrong decision to surrender possession.
Liverpool have changed their approach to a more possession-based game this season and press the opposition in stages, unlike previous seasons.
Tonali would be the ideal long-term player in the central midfield position because not only can Liverpool use his ability to break down a team from their own half, but also his drive to get forward on the transitions.
A glimpse of Tonali does make you think of a young Pirlo or Alonso who could find a teammate with a 30-yard cross-field pass, but he is still an unproven talent having played most of his football in the second division.
Tonali is contracted with the club until 2021, and we believe his valuation might go up if Brescia make it to the Serie A in the coming months.
Then there is the interest from Roma, so Liverpool will have to act quickly if they are to get their man. An ideal deal to keep all parties happy would be to sign the player and loan him to Brescia for the rest of the season.