If a report from the Portuguese outlet O Jogo is believed to be true, Liverpool have set their sights on Porto midfielder Vitinha over a potential summer swoop. The club’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders is keeping close tabs on his progress as he did so for Diogo Jota (claimed by The Times) prior to his Anfield move back in summer 2020.
Lijnders spent eight years at Porto as a youth development coach before assisting Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. The Dutch boss used his connections to prepare the scouting report before Jota’s (who spent a year on loan at Estádio do Dragão) transfer and the same might be utilized once more to gain more information on the 22-year-old star.
Vitinha progressed through the youth ranks of Porto before breaking into their senior side. He spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Wolves, however, the deal was not made permanent by the English side despite 22 appearances across competitions. He returned to his parent club last summer and eventually earned a starting status in the middle of the park following Sérgio Oliveira’s transfer to AS Roma.
So far, the youngster has scored and assisted thrice each in 38 outings across competitions. He also featured against Liverpool as a substitute in both the UEFA Champions League group stage meetings and his emergence might earn him a summer switch amid interest from top European outfits.
Why He Has All The Traits To Script A Success Story At Liverpool?
Vitinha does not have a strong physique, but his off-the-ball work rate, pressing as well as box-to-box movements should help him attune to Klopp’s system. Although the Reds have ample midfielders in their ranks, the injection of young blood is essential to avoid a long-term crisis.
James Milner, 36, is no more fit for a regular role, also the persistent fitness problems have refrained both Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita from building up momentum in the centre of the pitch. Skipper Jordan Henderson is in his thirties, whereas Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has not done enough in recent months to prove his worth beyond a sporadic option. The young trio of Curtis Jones, Tyler Morton and Harvey Elliott looked impressive in limited minutes, but they have mountains to climb to stake a claim in Klopp’s first-team plans.
Liverpool roped in Luis Diaz from Porto during the winter window. The Colombian has been an instant success high up the pitch and Vitinha, too, should follow the footsteps of his ex-teammate if his £33m release clause is triggered by the Merseysiders.
