Liverpool have easy Trent Alexander-Arnold 'Kostas Tsimikas' transfer solution at the Olympics

Liverpool have easy Trent Alexander-Arnold 'Kostas Tsimikas' transfer solution at the Olympics

Liverpool Echo Sports·2021-08-06 10:00

For several seasons, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the indistinguishable number one choice at right-back at Liverpool. However, Liverpool are only one injury away from a potential disaster with few adequate players who can fill in for the club's academy graduate.Last season, Liverpool brought in Kostas Tsimikas at left-back in order to avoid a similar potential catastrophe on the other flank. And while the Greek defender has taken his time to settle at Anfield, his presence in the team has accelerated Andrew Robertson's game to another level. The hope is that he can share more of the burden in the coming campaign, with the back line more settled.This summer, the club's priority should be on recruiting someone of Tsmikas' ilk at right-back in order to alleviate future headaches and evoke a similar reaction from Alexander-Arnold. In 20-year-old Wilfried Singo, who impressed at this summer's Olympic tournament, the club may have the perfect candidate for the role. Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated ArticlesSingo played in a wing-back role for Torino in Serie A last summer and has been linked with a move to Liverpool via reports in the Italian media. It's easy to see why. Singo's athleticism is perfectly suited to the 'heavy metal football' and pressing which is required in Jürgen Klopp's system at Liverpool. Singo is not only a solid defender, he has shown he can contribute going forward too. While the right-back only registered one goal and two assists in Serie A last season, his expected goals and assists per 90 is actually a lot closer to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool opinion & features - direct to your inboxIf you want the best written features around on your Reds waiting for you in your inbox each day, we've got just the thing - and you should sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter to see what we mean.You know what we're about which is bringing you the best in-depth, alternative and topical content but also bringing Liverpool, Football Club and city to wherever in the world you may be. Sign up and be fully informed (and entertained ) by the world of Liverpool FCHow do you sign up?It's easy and only takes seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article (under the main image) and click 'Subscribe'. And that's it, you're all set.According to FBRef, Singo averaged 0.20 xG+xA last season, slightly below Trent Alexander-Arnold's average of 0.32. When it comes to Alexander-Arnold's best asset, his ability to deliver crosses into the box, Singo is again some way behind the Liverpool defender, with an average of 2.91 crosses per 90 in comparison to Alexander-Arnold's 5.40. However, much of that can hinge on the system and Singo's volume of crossing is still above average in the Serie A for a full-back. His ability to make decisive passes is even more impressive, with Singo averaging 1.12 key passes per 90 which ranks him in the 75th percentile for full-backs in Europe's top five leagues. What Singo lacks in crossing, he makes up in his dribbling and ball-carrying ability. Last season, the 20-year-old ranked in the 98th percentile for dribbles attempted, managing 4.37 per 90. Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated ArticlesAnd despite the high volume of dribbles, Singo's success rate is a marvel to behold at 61.1% which is well above the average. Defensively, Singo posts similar pressing numbers (9.22 per 90) to Alexander-Arnold (9.73 per 90) and also makes around the same volume of tackles and interceptions per 90 (Singo - 2.96, Alexander-Arnold - 3.18).In the Olympics, Singo stood the test against tough opposition in the form of Spain, winning six out of his seven defensive duels according to Wyscout. In total he won 64.75% of his defensive duels at the tournament. There are still mistakes in him, and he is far from the finished article. His game still needs to be refined, but he has the raw talent and at Liverpool he will have no better player to learn from than Alexander-Arnold and no better coach than Klopp. As a back-up option, Singo is the right profile in terms of age, characteristics and potential. He offers a slightly cheaper alternative to Max Aarons, and he may also be content with a sporadic role to begin with unlike the Norwich City defender. For the right price, Liverpool should look to conduct Tsimikas-esque business once again this summer. Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated Articles

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