Liverpool‘s trip to Brentford was always going to be a smash-and-grab centred around survival.
The G-tech is one of the toughest places to go in the Premier League these days and represents the ultimate test of character, which Andoni Iraola‘s side passed with flying colours.
The Reds are beginning to see the benefit of a world-class No.9 in Alexander Isak, who needed just a sniff at goal to find his fifth strike in six league games and yet another winner.
Meanwhile, perhaps the recruitment wasn’t bad after all. Perhaps this is just the start of a rebuild, which could soon feature their best signing since Dominik Szoboszlai.
How Szoboszlai became Liverpool’s most important signing
In a strange turn of events, it was actually before the return of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes that Liverpool enjoyed their last excellent transfer window. Instead of the duo, who came under fire in the summer before the latter left for the Saudi Pro League, it was Jorg Schmadtke in charge on an interim basis.
There were even rumours that the stand-in sporting director worked from home for the majority of his spell in Ibiza. On paper, the idea of the German taking the role of sporting director by day and Ibiza raver by night is absurd, but there’s no denying that he got the job done and maybe even had a good time whilst doing so.
Life in Ibiza even helped find one of the best signings of this current Liverpool era in Szoboszlai. Part of a midfield rebuild, which also saw Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch arrive, the Hungarian cost as much as £60m and has been a success story ever since.
It speaks volumes that the midfielder instantly took the famous No.8 shirt and is now Liverpool’s vice-captain. It is then even more fitting that whenever there is a big moment, there seems to be an outrageous Szoboszlai goal. He has lived up to expectations and then some at Anfield.
Since Schmadtke’s beach-led recruitment, there have been plenty of question marks about Liverpool’s recruitment. New sporting director Julian Ward can quickly put those to bed by signing a Premier League star, however.
How £100m star can complete Liverpool midfield
Whether it’s 3-0 thrashings at the hands of Man City or narrow 2-1 victories at Brentford, Iraola is learning more and more about his Liverpool side by the week.
He knows where the weak points are where there needn’t be any more strengthening, and he should have a good idea about the potential of his side.
That makes the next two transfer windows all the more important. Having rebuilt, it’s now about refining for the Reds, who can hand Iraola a much-needed reunion in the process.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have held talks with Bournemouth to sign Alex Scott. The midfielder is yet to sign a new deal and, as such, the Cherries are seriously considering sanctioning his sale for a hefty £100m in the January transfer window.
Romano stated: “The decision of the club is to change their stance in the January transfer window. In the summer, Chelsea tried twice to sign Alex Scott. Arsenal called before signing Bruno Guimaraes and Liverpool called to understand the situation without sending any bid.”
It’s a huge boost for Liverpool, who have the Iraola links which could hand them a major advantage over rival clubs. In terms of profile, Scott would be their best signing since Szoboszlai.
Why? Well, with Mac Allister likely to leave at the end of his current deal in 2028, the Bournemouth man would be the perfect, ready-made upgrade for those at Anfield.
|
Premier League per 90 (26/27) |
Mac Allister |
Scott |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
488 |
446 |
|
Distance covered |
11.4km |
11.7km |
|
Tackles |
2.58 |
1.82 |
|
Recoveries |
5.35 |
7.26 |
|
Chances created |
1.11 |
2.22 |
Whilst Mac Allister has improved significantly this season compared to a dismal last campaign, the numbers suggest that Scott would provide the traits that the South American is so desperately lacking.
In a system designed around intensity and high turnovers, Scott’s recovery numbers and distance covered proved crucial under Iraola at Bournemouth and would be platformed to stand out even more at Anfield.
It would be another hefty deal, but one that Liverpool should go all out to land in 2027.
