In a recent report, Sport claimed that Liverpool are among clubs hoping to land Leeds United winger Raphinha this summer. It is believed that the Reds could face stiff competition from Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Barcelona for the Brazilian talent with the player favouring a move to the Nou Camp.
Raphinha’s Difficult Yet Fruitful Campaign At Elland Road
Raphinha had a tough campaign at the West Yorkshire club recently but managed to help Leeds avoid relegation from the Premier League. The 25-year-old banged in 11 goals and secured three assists in 36 matches for the Whites in the previous campaign on all fronts.
The Porto Alegre-born talent deserves a lot of credit for his performances in the final third based on his average of 1.5 tackles, 2.5 shots, 1.9 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per 90 minutes in Premier League football. However, the Brazil international needs to improve his ball distribution deep inside the opponent’s half after he completed 69.3% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Should Liverpool Head Coach Jurgen Klopp Move In For Raphinha This Summer?
Raphinha can use his quickness and agility to make a few penetrative runs with the ball out on the flanks. He can strike the ball purely and with power which makes him a potent goal threat from long range. The nine-time Brazil international has got the vision to cut open the opposition defence with a killer pass in the attacking end of the pitch. He is primarily a right-sided wide player but can even fill in as a left-winger if required.
We can expect Raphinha to bring more pace and goals to Liverpool‘s attack. He would even increase competition for places within Jurgen Klopp‘s squad. At 25, his best years are ahead of him which makes him an ideal understudy for Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
However, the Reds have not got the luxury to offer Raphinha regular first-team chances next season. Furthermore, the Brazilian favours a move to Barcelona anyway, so Klopp should not consider moving in for the Leeds United star during this summer transfer window.
