Liverpool’s early season conquers could be traced to their blistering and prolific attacking arsenal which paralyses and cracks down the opponents with some ease. Questions, however, are still mongering around their own defence which has been erratic and inconsistent which is why they aren’t a complete package or champion material just yet.
Yes, they might have scored 30 goals in 11 league games but they have also conceded 14 which isn’t a riveting data any given day. It is not unknown that a strong defence makes a team win the titles and the latest league triumphs by Chelsea and Leicester City in the last couple of season are a shining example of the case. Jürgen Klopp’s side have loopholes at the back and to impose themselves as a staunch title contender, he will have the opportunity to eliminate the drawbacks in the January transfer window.
Liverpool are linked with German international, Jonathan Tah, as it is believed that Klopp is keen to add competitiveness, resoluteness and rigidity in his defence. I have compiled a SWOT Analysis to fish out a bird-eye view of one of the hottest properties in German Bundesliga.
Strengths
Tah is a central defender with a towering presence with a strong command of the game. His strengths include intercepting the ball with precision, being quite sound aerially, and he has experience of European nights as well. Moreover, he possesses great pace and power, is a composed character and is found to be quite comfortable during the tricky circumstances.
The 20-year-old is seen to be very fond of playing long balls, sticks out his feet to make commendable clearances and blocks and clears the ball superbly as well. So far this season out of 9 appearances in the German Bundesliga, the Bayer Leverkusen defender has won 15 tackles with a success rate of 60%, made 22 interceptions, 27 clearances and 5 blocks which highlight as to why he is one of the most decorated youngsters in the football fraternity at the moment.
Weaknesses
Speaking of weaknesses, accurately passing the ball is a sphere Tah falls short in. He misplaces the ball frequently and that allows the opposition to have a go at his side’s defence. Further, consistency is something this youngster suffers from as he fails to replicate good performances on a regular basis, and this might not help Liverpool’s cause.
Though he is talked of very fondly, Tah suffers from the fact that he makes defensive errors quite a bit as well which, of course, he needs to eradicate in the long run. He has already made 3 defensive errors in the German league this season, which imposes a question mark on his stature as well.
Opportunities
First and foremost, it is to be mentioned that the physique of Jonathan Tah is tailor-made for any central defender who can ply his trade in the Premier League at some point in their career. Standing at around 192 cm and weighing around 90 kilos with an uncompromising pace, he is a perfect commodity for a side like Liverpool who are seeking a replacement for Mamadou Sakho as well which is why Tah, undoubtedly, will see many opportunities coming at the Merseyside club.
Under the tutelage of Klopp, Tah will have the opportunity to learn from one of the best tacticians of the business and can grow as a player in every aspect which can only aid Liverpool in the long run. The eighteen-time league winners have gone with the partnership of Dejan Lovren and Joël Matip at the heart of the defence with Ragnar Klavan being the only cover for the duo, which is why they are scouting Tah to add some strength to this department. The former Hamburger youngster will be a wanted man at Liverpool and there is no doubt about that.
Threats
The aforesaid weaknesses that he possesses need to be addressed very soon, else he will be exposed and humiliated time and again by the attackers of top flight football.
Moreover, the pressure to perform in the Premier League brings veterans to a standstill and no reason why the animosity of the top tier of English football would not be harsh on the youngster if a deal pans out.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
