Why Josip Brekalo makes sense for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool
By Bence Bocsak
Without Champions League football, Liverpool are not going to have a fancy summer spree. Dented by the impacts of the pandemic, the club will need to bolster the squad and search for ‘bargains’ in a volatile market.
It is clear Jurgen Klopp needs fresh faces. His squad has been devastated over the course of the season, and the German requires players who will rejuvenate his deflated team. Stars like Shaqiri, Origi and Oxlade-Chamberlain have regressed and can no longer function as ‘impact’ players.
According to Croatian outlet tportal the Reds could be about to make a move for a potential squad player who could be perfect for the club.
The site reports that Jurgen Klopp is interested in bringing Josip Brekalo to Anfield.
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On the surface level, Josip Brekalo will hardly be deemed a marquee signing or one that would get the fans out of their seats. But this season has proven more than ever the importance of an evenly balanced squad.
Liverpool could have found a gem.
Sure 4 goals and 3 assists does not scream of a world-beater by any stretch of the imagination. However there are lots to admire about the 22 year old attacker.
Firstly, Brekalo is versatile. He can be deployed on either flank and also as an attacking midfielder just behind the striker.
He is blessed with pace, and nimble feet, and makes 5.32 successful pressures per 90 via fbref, which is higher than the average in the Bundesliga this season.
On top of that he can be productive on the ball too. He ranks in 5th place for progressive passes made by wingers averaging 5.38 per 90 via Wyscout above players like Leon Bailey, Moussa Diaby and Emil Forsberg.
Coming from an esteemed academy like Dinamo Zagreb, where the emphasis is on developing strong minds and players with excellent technical abilities and problem solving skills according to the club’s former academy director via First Time Finish, Brekalo could offer the key to unlocking low defensive blocks.
At 22 he has age on his side, and for those worried about his productivity in the Bundesliga, Brekalo has 4 goals and 3 assists in his last 10 games for World Cup finalists Croatia since September 2020. Half of the games he played in, he featured as a substitute demonstrating his ability to impact games from the bench.
With Klopp’s ability to push his players to the next level, Brekalo has the potential to thrive at Liverpool.
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What do you think, would you like to see Josip Brekalo come to Anfield?