Liverpool must sign a defensive midfielder in the summer. Victor Wanyama would have been an ideal signing for the Reds.
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama in action
If there is money to spend to bolster one particular area, Liverpool should and must add a defensive midfielder to their ranks.
It beggars belief how a club of Liverpool’s stature have failed to identify their major weakness that has plagued the club since 2010. Yes, you read it right. That was the year when Liverpool lost Javier Mascherano to Barcelona, and they never replaced him with a player of similar ilk.
Lucas Leiva did a fair job in the beginning, but recurrent injuries have reduced him to a shadow of the player he once was. The Brazilian has been a loyal servant to the club, but his significance has been reduced to being a squad player only.
What Liverpool need is a robust defensive midfielder who is good at tackling and break up play. And the one player from their rival team that can improve Jurgen Klopp’s squad immensely is Victor Wanyama.
He is one player who is ever present in Pochettino’s starting lineup. While others – the likes of Dembele, Dier or Eriksen – offer a more progressive, creative, or box-to-box presence in midfield, Wanyama adds steel and defensive solidity.
It is no coincidence that the Kenyan’s staunch displays at the base of the midfield have seen Spurs conceding only 22 goals in the Premier League – fewest of any side.
He is good at tackling (2.6), a fine reader of the game (interceptions 1.2), and a reliable passer (87.4%), according to whoscored.com. The best part of his game is his discipline and positional awareness.
With loads of Premier League experience under his belt, he should be an ideal signing for the Reds. The key word here is ‘ideal’, as Tottenham are unlikely to sell a player they signed him last summer from Southampton.
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama during training
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
