Liverpool Linked With January Move For Norwegian Midfield Powerhouse: Pros and Cons

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Genk midfielder Sander Berge in the January transfer window. The Premier League leaders did not sign a first-team player in the summer but may need to make some additions to their team as they compete in multiple competitions while also being the runaway title favourites this season.

As per Sky Sports, the Merseyside club have joined the race to sign Berge, who has been impressive for the Belgian club this season. The 21-year-old Norwegian international has been linked with a move to Chelsea previously, as well as Italian club Napoli. Sander Berge has been with Genk since 2017, joining them from Vålerenga, and has gone on to become a key player for them.

The defensive midfielder’s contract with his current club expires in 2021.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Liverpool signing Sander Berge

Pros

Berge is a young defensive midfielder with tremendous potential and one that can blossom under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. The Norwegian boasts a big frame, standing at 6’5″, and is a player that is strong defensively, while contributing to his team while going forward as well.

The 21-year-old is strong in the air, but is good with the ball at his feet as well, stringing together passes and keeping possession of the ball. He also likes to use his strength and long legs to good effect by moving ahead with the ball and is a decent dribbler as well. Berge is a confident and quick dribbler, despite his huge size, and is surprisingly agile while covering grass.

The Norwegian is tactically sound and composed in midfield and could become a dependable midfield general in the future.

He is adept at playing as a central midfielder or as a defensive midfielder and is an all-round player who can tackle, intercept, dribble, and pass.

Cons

The transition from the Belgian league to the Premier League – and especially to a strong team like Liverpool – could be a huge jump, which makes this move a gamble. It will also take him a while to slot into this Liverpool team and the pace of the Premier League, which means that he will not be a readymade replacement for Fabinho in the Liverpool midfield.

Klopp has a tight-knit, highly functioning unit and trying to accommodate a new commodity albeit someone with huge potential might be a deterrent as they look to keep the juggernaut rolling for the rest of the season.

Also given the fact that Wijnaldum and Henderson are more than capable of doing the job in the no.6 role when called upon, Klopp does not have an urgent need to take a decision in the difficult January transfer window and as the thumping 5-2 win over Everton proved, the squad depth is not as flaky as some detractors might suggest.