25 Nov 2015

Klopp to Sign? Liverpool chase 'strong' €18m star who wants €46k-a-week. Contact made already

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Inter Milan outcast Andrea Ranocchia, though new reports today suggest that the Reds face a batter to sign the Italian defender.

In October, Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato claimed that Liverpool 'contacted' Inter to enquire about a deal, and according to reports today:

* Liverpool still want to sign Ranocchia during the January transfer window.

* Sporting Lisbon and Sevilla have also joined the race for the 27-year old, who is 'likely to leave'.

* Ranocchia - hailed by Italy boss Antonio Conte as 'strong player - allegedly wants a €2.4m-a-year salary (€46k-a-week).

* Liverpool have contacted Inter to discuss a possible deal for Ranocchia, who is 'likely to leave' the club.

Some info about Ranocchia:

* 6'5 central defender, who cost Inter €18m, and captained the club last season.

* According to German newspaper Bild, Klopp was 'keen' to sign Ranocchia for Dortmund.

* This season: Granted only 208 minutes of pitch time (averaging 20 mins per game), and has started only one match.

* Hasn't been injured since 2012, and has missed only 8 games through injury since 2011.

* ESPN's assessment of Ranocchia's 2014-15 performance: "Huge questions over his capabilities. Often guilty of mistakes that cost points. Decision making is a major weakness. [Often] panicked into giving the ball away or misjudging a situation, which resulted in dropped points. Biggest enemy is his own mind as he does not trust himself".

Yikes. Mistakes that lead to opposition goals? Bad decision-making? Misjudging situations, and giving the ball away? Mentally suspect? Ranocchia sounds like Dejan Lovren MK 2, and the last thing Liverpool need is another error-prone defender who can't handle the pressure.

No wonder Roberto Mancini has banished Ranocchia to the sidelines; if he can't handle it at Inter, how is he going to succeed at Liverpool, where pressure/expectation is (arguably) significantly more intense?

Author: Jaimie K


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