As signature moves go, it’s not quite as iconic as Ronaldinho’s flip-flap, as a Cristiano Ronaldo knuckleball or Kerlon’s seal dribble. But Fede Valverde’s lung-busting, box-to-box bursts are quickly becoming as much a calling card of Real Madrid as Luka Modric’s outside-of-the-boot through-balls and Karim Benzema’s lethal finishing.
Some nine seconds after picking up the ball midway inside his own half during Real Madrid’s 4-1 La Liga victory over Real Mallorca on Sunday, the Uruguay international would reel away in glorious celebration. Having carried the ball from one end of the pitch to the other, Valverde capped a 56-yard run with a fierce drive into the top corner with his weaker left foot.
It was a goal so quintessentially Valverde. Every single one of his attributes wrapped up in one breath-taking moment of game-changing brilliance.
If anyone sums up this Real Madrid team, it’s the former Penarol youngster. A frightening combination of energy and elegance, tenacity and technique. This is not the first time in recent months that Valverde has changed a game through sheer force of will either.
It was the 24-year-old’s trademark run and cross from the left that broke Celtic’s brave resistance last week. Vinicius Junior was the recipient of an almost identical Valverde assist during May’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool too.
Liverpool reportedly offered 100 million euros for Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde
Was that the game, the performance, that encouraged Liverpool to consider a club-record £85 million deal for Valverde? According to Spanish publication AS, the beaten finalists were willing to break for the bank for a man who’s remarkable running power and seemingly boundless energy reserves ripped a hole through Jurgen Klopp’s backline in Paris.
If you can’t beat them, sign them. Right?
There are few players in world football who can do what Valverde does. There are certainly few players at Anfield who can do what Valverde does. Forget the sale of Sadio Mane; a debilitating absence of verve in an ageing and increasingly rickety engine room is what has really underpinned Liverpool’s worst start to a season in the Klopp era. Manchester United, Fulham and Napoli have all out-ran and out-fought a team seemingly lacking the ravenous, bloodthirsty hunger of old.
An industrious, dynamic, boyish midfielder capable of turning defence into attack in the blinking of an eye is not only something Liverpool are lacking. But also arguably the one thing they need, above all else.
“He is a great player,” Carlo Ancelotti said after Valverde dragged Real level against Mallorca almost entirely on his own.
“(Valverde) can play in midfield, he also plays on the wing. He’s closer to the goal now and scoring more. He has already scored two goals (this season) and will score more. He is a fantastic athlete and a great player.”
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