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Liverpool linked with last-ditch swoop for Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri – is he needed at Anfield?
With a hectic day expected at Anfield already, reports surfacing from Italy overnight have claimed that Liverpool have lined-up a surprise deadline day swoop for Roma’s left-back Emerson Palmieri.
claim that Jurgen Klopp has submitted an offer around the region of €21million euros (£19.35million) for the promising 23-year-old defender after an impressive year in Italy.
Palmieri suffered a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury back in May but, despite being side-lined until October at the earliest, it is understood that this hasn’t put Liverpool off making a move.
Would Palmieri add anything to Liverpool?
If there’s one part of Liverpool’s current squad that has been constantly criticised over the past few Premier League seasons, and is arguably in need of some investment, then it is their leaky defence.
Inconsistent is the best way to describe the Liverpool back-line, and despite adding young Andrew Robertson to their squad from Hull City there’s still a lingering feeling that extra personnel is needed.
And in Palmieri there’s the potential to bring in one of the best full-backs in Serie A, with the Brazilian able to rival Juventus star Alex Sandro in the creativity and attacking intent he possesses.
Last season the vast majority of Roma’s attacking play came down the left-hand side, and that’s primarily due to the over-lapping instincts and advanced positioning of Palmieri, and the 23-year-old has shown that he loves nothing more than having the ball at his feet and getting involved in the play.
Consider the fact that he’ll have the likes of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane playing ahead of him down the left-hand side and it could become a truly potent combination that could push the Reds forward.
Despite being accustomed to more of a wing-back role at Roma, he has the raw potential to be a conventional left-back – as he would be at Anfield – and become a marauding figure down the flank.
There’s work that can be done on his defending, often caught out of position due to his desire to push further up the pitch, but under Klopp there’s no better man to help enhance his development at the back.
Should the speculation of a move be true, and Liverpool do look for a late deal for Palmieri, then their good relationship with Roma following the arrival of Mohamed Salah also could prove to be useful.