Anfield will witness Champions League night yet again for the first time in three years and the credit should go to their manager Jurgen Klopp. The German tactician is already working on improving the squad and is close to landing Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah this summer. But he also has to improve on a few other positions in the squad and one player who can help them immensely next season is Bayern Munich starlet Renato Sanches.
The 19-year old had a productive time at Benfica which saw him earn a place at the Allianz Arena at the start of the previous season. But the star-studded squad has made sure that he does not get enough playing time and reports today suggest that the Bundesliga outfit are ready to cash in on him this summer.
Long term suitors Manchester United have already expressed their interest in the player but Sanches’ style of play and attributes can actually be of great help to the Anfield outfit next season.
At just 19, he is a player for the future but has already gathered some crucial experience at the highest stage and is ready for the different challenges in Europe. He made 25 appearances all season but failed to pick up a goal or an assist, making his time in Germany a failure.
Capable of playing as a winger, Sanches is a central midfielder by trait who likes to dictate terms in the middle of the park. A strong passer who loves to set up goals, Sanches is a decent dribbler with a thunderous shot up his sleeve. His key pass ratio is right up there with the best but he still needs to work on his ability to use his strength to shield the ball.
He is also not too strong in the air but at 19, he will surely get better. Liverpool are expected to shift to a 4-2-3-1 system with two genuine wingers and this does not leave much space for Sanches in the first team. Jordan Henderson and Emre Can are sure to get some competition for the two midfield places while Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum can play floating roles, starting in the number 10 position.
Sanches is a world class player and will improve the Liverpool squad and is available at just around €35m. He is not too expensive a risk but they will have to promise him enough game time at Anfield, which is really hard to see him get next season. However, if they do manage to sign him, Klopp might not have to look at another midfielder to add to his squad for years to come. Do you think Liverpool should make a move for Sanches?
