Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are interested in signing Denis Zakaria, according to La Gazetta dello Sport (print edition, page 20, November 14, 2021).
The Reds could certainly do with some more midfield depth. After all, the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson are entering their 30s while Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner have all had their own injury issues as of late.
So, it seems as though Zakaria could be the answer to the Reds’ prayers, but what type of player will they be getting if they sign the Switzerland international?
Well, in his own words, Zakaria has claimed that he’d like to play a similar style to either Paul Pogba or Patrick Vieira.
What’s been said?
Zakaria spoke about his style of play to the Bundesliga’s official website.
“I’ve also been compared to [Patrick] Vieira and [Paul] Pogba – two more players I really respect and, in a way, see as role models. When I watch videos of them I think I’d like to play that way. What’s important, though, is that people recognise I’m not trying to copy anyone. I’m trying to be the best Zakaria I can possibly be,” Zakaria said.
Interesting fit
It would be very interesting to see how a player like this would fit into Liverpool’s midfield.
The Reds can accommodate a Pogba-esque midfielder with all of the skill that comes with that style, as we’ve seen with Thiago, while a Vieira-esque player would fit perfectly into that Fabinho role.
Zakaria seems to be more settled as a number six at Borussia Monchengladbach, so perhaps that’s where he’d fit best at Anfield, but it would certainly be interesting to see how Klopp utilises him.
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