Premier League giants Liverpool are paying the price for waiting too long to make a move for Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez, former Estadio da Luz favourite Valdo tells Bola Branca.
In the aftermath of Liverpool’s 9-0 obliteration of AFC Bournemouth at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp finally said what most Reds supporters have spent the last couple of weeks thinking.
This Reds engine room is in need of an MOT; Some new parts and a change of oil.
At this late stage of the window, however, finding a top-class central midfielder capable of slotting straight into Liverpool’s starting XI may be all-but impossible. Matheus Nunes has joined Wolves, Aurelien Tchouameni is at Real Madrid, and Jude Bellingham is destined to spend one more year at Borussia Dortmund.
Enzo Fernandez, meanwhile, is going nowhere having joined one of Portugal’s biggest clubs in an £18 million deal as recently as July.
Liverpool like Benfica ace Enzo Fernandez
“(Fernandez) makes what others complicate simple,” says former Benfica and Brazil ace Valdo.
“In this crazy market, whoever moves the fastest comes out ahead. It’s like the wild west. When Liverpool opened their eyes (to Fernandez), it was already too late.
“(I hope that) Enzo can stay for a long time. But, in this crazy market, anything can happen.”
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool are still keeping tabs on the energetic Argentine international, perhaps with a view to a bid at some point in 2023. By that point, however, their title hopes might have already been extinguished. The gap between themselves and Arsenal in top spot already stands at seven points, after just four matches.
“Fernandez has technical ability but what he needs is to learn more about collective sacrifice, which he will find in European football,” adds former Argentina ace Dario Felman.
“Once he has learned to combine the two, he could play for any team in Europe; like Arsenal or Tottenham. He really is that good, in terms of potential.
“I see Enzo Fernandez more likely playing in the Premier League (than any other major league).”
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