Liverpool have shown an interest in Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to reports from Germany.
Sky Deutschland reported [via The Mirror] that officials from the Anfield club have held an initial meeting with the 22-year-old's representatives, with Arsenal doing likewise.
The Switzerland international has also attracted Premier League interest from Manchester United and Tottenham and could be available for €50m (£43.1m), as reported by Bild.
According to The Mirror, Zakaria is currently contracted to Borussia Monchengladbach until 2022.
Zakaria, who plays mainly as a defensive midfielder, has been ever-present for Borussia Monchengladbach this season prior to tonight's DFB-Pokal clash against Borussia Dortmund.
The 22-year-old has scored twice and collected five yellow cards in 13 appearances for his club in 2019/20, with an overall return of eight goals in 78 appearances for Die Fohlen.
He has proven quite adept at winning possession for Marco Rose's team, with a match average of 2.6 successful tackles and 1.4 interceptions in the Bundesliga so far this term. In the Europa League, those figures rise to 2.7 successful tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game. [via WhoScored]
Those tackling figures are slightly higher than Fabinho, who plays in a similar position at Liverpool. The Brazilian has won the most tackles per game for Jurgen Klopp's team this season, with a match average of 2.5 in the Premier League, while his 1.3 interceptions per game is also slightly below Zakaria's average. [via WhoScored]
The Swiss midfielder is also far more prolific than Fabinho, who has scored only once in 56 Liverpool appearances coming into the Carabao Cup meeting with Arsenal tonight.
One area where Zakaria is discernibly weaker than the Reds midfielder, though, is in terms of ball distribution. The Borussia Monchengladbach man has averaged 38.1 passes and 0.3 key passes per game in the Bundesliga this term, with an 83.7% success rate, as per WhoScored.
Fabinho's Premier League match averages are 62.1 passes and 1.3 key passes, while his 86.8% accuracy rate is higher than the Swiss 22-year-old.
Zakaria's excellent ball-winning statistics and respectable goal return for a defensive midfielder would make him a decent addition to Liverpool's squad.
However, with Fabinho's tackling and interception figures only marginally worse than the Borussia Monchengladbach man, and with the Brazilian being notably more effective on the ball, Zakaria seems to fit the description of a player that would be nice for Klopp to have rather than one he desperately needs.
Liverpool fans, do you think Zakaria would be an upgrade on Fabinho or is there a need for him in the Reds' line-up? Join in the discussion by commenting below!