Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing Denis Zakaria, who currently plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The 22-year-old has been impressive for the German club this season, which has led to interest from several clubs apart from Liverpool.
According to Transfer Market Web, Liverpool have looked at Zakaria and could make a move for him in the January transfer window.
The Merseyside club will face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Tottenham, as per Express. The defensive midfielder moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2017 from Young Boys for a fee of €10 million.
Zakaria’s current contract with Mönchengladbach expires in 2022, having signed a five-year deal in 2017. The 22-year-old has made 24 appearances for Switzerland since making his debut for the national team in 2016.
He has made 76 appearances in all competitions for Mönchengladbach, scoring 7 goals and 4 assists.
What will Zakaria add to Liverpool?
Zakaria has been likened to French legend Patrick Vieira, due to his towering stature, passing, and movement from midfield. The Swiss international can play as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder, and has even played as a centre-back.
The 22-year old is a player who likes to dispossess the opponent of the ball, and move forward swiftly from one box to the other.
He has made an average of 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions a game in the league this season and. Zakaria is good in the air, thanks to his 6’2″ height, winning an average of 1.1 duels in the air. The Gladbach man is also a neat passer, who likes to keep the ball moving, while also trying forward, aerial passes.
Zakaria likes to dribble with the ball at his feet, using his strength and speed to get up the pitch, averaging 2.5 dribbles per game in Bundesliga this season.
He would be a useful addition to the Liverpool midfield, as he offers something different to the midfielders that are in Jurgen Klopp’s squad at the moment.
His strength, speed, passing and dribbling ability will fit in well with Klopp’s style of play, while his defensive contribution is an added bonus and is what Klopp expects from his midfielders.
At 22, Zakaria could improve over the next few years, and will make for a good addition to any of the top teams in the Premier League. The Reds will only improve if they have a solid backup for Fabinho, something Zakaria can do well.
Liverpool already have Fabinho, who plays exactly the same sort of position.