According to a recent report by Sport (translated by the Sun), Liverpool have joined Barcelona in the race to secure the services of FC Augsburg left-back Philipp Max during this summer transfer period. The same source has revealed that the Reds are looking to add more competition for Andrew Robertson and have identified the Bundesliga talent as an ideal candidate to fill in that role at Anfield next season.
Sport has also claimed that the German full-back will be available for £18m this summer with Barca prepared to rival the Merseyside giants as they try to bring in a suitable back-up for Jordi Alba in this off-season.
The Incredible Rise Of Philipp Max In German Football
The 25-year-old is vastly experienced in the Bundesliga, having made 116 league appearances during his playing career while scoring seven goals and grabbing 20 assists thus far. Max was also an integral member of the German national team that won the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The Viersen-born prospect enjoyed a sensational campaign for Augsburg last season when he put in a string of impressive displays in the German top-flight. He found the back of the net four times while creating seven assists across all competitions. On the defensive end, the German full-back made an average of 1.2 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game in the top tier of Germany (stats via whoscored).
What Will The Bundesliga Defensive Ace Bring To Anfield?
Max is quick on the dribble which allows him to make some lung-bursting runs down the left flank. He can also put in some dangerous crosses from the wide areas as evidenced by his impressive assist tally (7) from the previous campaign. The German prospect is not afraid to work his socks off for his team, but he is an average defender inside his own half.
The acquisition of a left-back with Max’s attacking potential will undoubtedly improve the quality of Jurgen Klopp’s squad at Anfield. He will provide more competition for Robertson, who has been Liverpool’s first-choice full-back for the past couple of seasons. The departure of Alberto Moreno earlier this summer has left a big hole in the Reds squad that Max can potentially fill if he decides to move to Merseyside this summer.
At 25, the Augsburg full-back is currently playing at his prime which Liverpool could look to benefit from over the next few seasons. Thus, it makes a lot of sense for Klopp to consider signing the Bundesliga sensation before the start of the new campaign.
