Liverpool have been linked with a possible move for Inter Milan’s defensive midfielder Marcelo Brozovic by reports from Italian media.
According to Libero [via Tribuna.com], the Croatian’s agent has been contacted by the Merseysiders and his current employers are trying to secure a new contract for him which would remove the €60m (£52.3m) release clause in his current deal.
This report comes two months after FC Inter News claimed [via Daily Mail] that Liverpool had sent scouts to watch the midfielder in his team’s derby win over AC Milan.
Why might Liverpool be interested in Marcelo Brozovic?
The 27-year-old, who played in the 2018 World Cup final for Croatia, has been a regular presence at the base of Inter’s midfield this season, making 32 appearances and chipping in with three goals and five assists. With 51 international caps and more than 150 Serie A appearances, he has a wealth of big-game experience under his belt.
Not surprisingly given his role as a defensive midfielder, Brozovic excels at breaking up play, averaging 2.4 successful tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game this season. His tackling average is better than anyone in Liverpool’s squad, eclipsing the 2.1 per game figure posted by the Reds’ first choice defensive midfielder Fabinho, while only centre-backs Joel Matip and Joe Gomez among Jurgen Klopp’s squad can match or better his interceptions ratio (as per WhoScored).
The Croatian is much more than a mere holding midfield destroyer, though. He also contributes plenty to Inter’s passing game and attacking play, registering 1.9 shots per game (more than any of Liverpool’s midfielders) and averaging 1.5 key passes per match (only three Reds players have more). His passing success rate of 89.5% is bettered only by Georginio Wijnaldum among Klopp’s regular starters and he averages 68.7 passes per game, a superior figure to everyone at Anfield except Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren.
Brozovic would be a well-rounded addition to Liverpool’s midfield
Brozovic’s figures from the 2019/20 season mark him out as a very well-rounded midfielder, someone who can be relied upon to halt opposition attacks as well as playing his part in advancing his own team further up the pitch and not being hesitant to take on chances when they present themselves. At 27, he seems to be at an ideal age where he has ample senior experience while also still being young enough to offer long-term value to a team, provided he can stay injury-free – he has had several minor niggles in his time at Inter but no lengthy injury concerns (as per TransferMarkt).
Liverpool may seem well stocked for midfield options at present but Adam Lallana is likely to leave in the summer (as per Liverpool Echo), Naby Keita has a worrying injury record and James Milner, despite still delivering vital contributions, is 34 and therefore unlikely to be a regular starter in future seasons. On recent evidence, Brozovic looks like he would bring an all-round midfield package to Anfield if the Reds were to seriously pursue him over the summer.
Liverpool fans, do you think Brozovic would be a good addition to the Reds’ midfield? How likely is it that he could end up at Anfield next season? Give us your views in the comments section below!
