Liverpool are set to be a part of an ‘international auction’ in 2020 for the signing of Fabian Ruiz, according to reports in Italy.
Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) report that the Reds will join Barcelona, Real Madrid and Man City in a battle for his signature.
The Spanish midfielder is currently a Napoli player after he joined the club from Real Betis in the summer of 2018 for £27m.
According to the report from Sport Witness, the rumour mill is turning at an increased pace with reports of interest for the attacking midfielder “almost daily”.
With Liverpool also being linked with James Maddison in recent days, it seems that Liverpool want – or at least the media think that Liverpool want – a creative midfielder.
Liverpool lacking creativity and goals in midfield has probably been one of Liverpool’s biggest criticisms since Philippe Coutinho left the club.
Many pundits have criticised Liverpool for it, including Anfield legend Graeme Souness, who went on the record in March in his Sunday Times column (via talkSPORT), saying that “modern midfielders get away with murder”.
He continued: “They say they ‘recycle’ possession, whatever that means, but you’re either a defensive or an attacking midfielder.
“Liverpool’s five midfielders have six league goals between them.
“They get away with it because of the front three they have, but it’s not enough from James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keita.”
If it’s goals and assists from midfield that Liverpool want, then the 23-year-old hasn’t shown masses since being in Italy.
That’s not to say he doesn’t have very impressive stats. According to WhoScored, he makes 76 passes per game – more than anyone in the Napoli squad – as well as having a passing completion rate of 92.1 per cent.
He also has a decent 2.5 shots per game as well as 1.3 dribbles per game, showing that he is an impressive all-round midfielder when he has the ball at his feet.
He has scored one goal from his four league games this season, as well as five goals and three assists from his Serie A campaign last year, which is impressive for a man who is only 23, but ultimately not that goal-scoring midfielder which Graeme Souness seems to desire.
Whether Fabian Ruiz would be a good signing for Liverpool really depends on what they want. If they are looking for a Coutinho-type, who plays in a more advanced position – central attacking midfield or on the wings – and likes to shoot from range more often, then he might not be the solution.
If they are looking for someone who sits a bit deeper and has a range of abilities which can help the attacking play, then he could be a great option. A report from Total Football Analysis says that Fabian is a “great technic” and that he is a top passer who does not always simply look for the easy ball.
At the moment, Liverpool do not have anybody with as high a passing percentage (who has started at least one match) or someone who makes as many passes per game – so he could definitely add a better passing element to Liverpool’s side.
Liverpool fans, would you welcome a midfielder like Ruiz to Anfield? Let us know in the comments below!
