28 May 2016

Anfield Update: 'Exceptional' €19m powerhouse admired by Klopp hints at summer move. Liverpool transfer?

Liverpool are currently linked with a move for 'exceptional' Roma star Antonio Rudiger, but what are the chances of the German defender making a move this summer?

Two weeks ago, German TV channel Sport 1 claimed:

"Liverpool are preparing a €19m offer for Antonio Rüdiger. Klopp has admired [him] since his time in the Bundesliga, and would love to lure him to Anfield".

Rudiger recently admitted that he's not interested in 'returning to Germany', and when asked this week about a transfer to the Premier League, he told reporters:

“At the moment I'm a Roma player, but you never know what is going to happen. Maybe the club will make other choices”.

Some info about Rudiger:

* Centre-back, who can also play as a right-back, or a defensive-midfielder. Currently on loan at Roma from VFW Stuttgart. Current contract expires: 2017.

* Roma and Stuttgart: 116 appearances in the last four seasons (Averages 29 apps per season). 9 apps for the German national team.

* Three knee injuries in the last 2 seasons (168 days out; 17 games missed)

* Jun 2015: Joachim Low's assessment: "He [Rudiger] is another Jerome Boateng, just because they’re so alike"/

* Oct 2014: Rudiger enthused: "On the pitch my idol is Thiago Silva. He’s just world class and a player I hope to be able to play against in the future."

* Scouting Report (Strengths): "Lightning fast and agile; strong aerially and in the tackle; a tidy ball-playing defender; never-say-die attitude".

* Scouting Report (Weaknesses): "Prone to the odd lapse in concentration; guilty of trying too hard on occasions; committed the most fouls of any player at Stuttgart last season, and conceded three penalties".

From 2008-2011, Rudiger spent three years in Borussia Dortmund's youth system, and although he didn't make a breakthrough at the club, Jurgen Klopp will be well aware of his talents.

Is Rudiger (or indeed any other central defender) needed, though? It looks like Sakho has escaped a lengthy drug ban, which means he'll be available for next season. That means Liverpool will have Lovren, Sakho, Matip, and unless both leave, one of either Skrtel or Toure.

With no European football next season, the team (arguably) cannot support four international centre-backs, so signing yet another one makes little sense.

jaimie

Author: Jaimie K


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