LIVERPOOL’S STRATEGIC INTEREST IN TAKEFUSA KUBO: ANALYSING THE POTENTIAL MOVE
LIVERPOOL EYES TALENTED KUBO FOR A FUTURE TRANSFER
Liverpool’s interest in Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo has been making waves in the football world. As reported by TEAMTALK, the Reds are considering a move for the Japanese international, possibly even eyeing a January deal. Kubo’s impressive performance this season, with six goals from 25 appearances, has significantly raised his market value, according to Transfermarkt.
KUBO’S RISING STAR IN LALIGA
Having been part of both Barcelona and Real Madrid, Kubo is now thriving at Real Sociedad. His current form in LaLiga has not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool reportedly making contact about a potential deal. This proactive approach, even before the January transfer window, indicates Liverpool’s serious intent. However, Kubo’s commitment to Real Sociedad, at least for the remainder of the season, puts a temporary hold on any immediate transfer plans.
POTENTIAL LONG-TERM SUCCESSOR TO SALAH
At 22, Kubo presents a promising profile, similar to Mohamed Salah, and could become a long-term successor in Klopp’s 4-3-3 system. However, his left-footed right-wing playstyle and his contract until 2027 with Real Sociedad mean Liverpool might have to wait. Additionally, his current participation in the Asian Cup could further delay any transfer discussions.
KUBO’S FUTURE: A HOT TOPIC
The market for Kubo is heating up. Apart from Liverpool, other Premier League clubs, Napoli, and even teams from Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, have shown interest. This diverse attention underlines Kubo’s growing reputation in international football. Real Madrid’s first refusal right on their former player adds another layer to the potential transfer saga.
LIVERPOOL’S PURSUIT AMIDST COMPETITION
Liverpool’s pursuit of Kubo, highlighted by Jorge Picon’s assertion of their keen interest, suggests a strategic move to bolster their wide attacking options. A transfer to the Premier League would be a new chapter for Kubo, whose potential is rapidly transitioning into tangible quality, an attribute that would be highly beneficial for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool will turn to unheralded duo for Chelsea showdown
Liverpool will again enlist the help of scientific group neuro11 ahead of League Cup final showdown with Chelsea next month
Jurgen Klopp has revealed Liverpool will once again turn to the innovative weapon that helped them secure League Cup final glory against Chelsea two years ago when the teams return to Wembley next month.
The Reds booked a rematch with the Londoners on February 25 when they drew 1-1 at Fulham on Wednesday night in their semi-final second leg to secure a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
Klopp’s side beat Chelsea in the final on penalties in 2022 after the two sides had fought out a goalless draw. There was an identical outcome three months later when they again met in the FA Cup final.
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Since the summer of 2021, Liverpool have enlisted the help of Niklas Hausler and Patrick Hantschke from neuro11, a scientific group who develop mental strength training programmes for professional sports.
The pair, who co-founded the initiative, have made regular visits to the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby to work with players on set-pieces and penalties, and were on site last week to help the Reds in preparation for the game at Fulham, which would have gone to a shoot-out had the aggregate scores been level at the end of extra time.
And they are again scheduled to work with Klopp’s squad before the final with penalties again potentially a decisive factor.
“They work for us,” said the Reds boss. “They were here last week because there was the potential of a penalty shoot-out against Fulham. We will definitely do something before the final. They will be in that week.”
As part of the programme, electrodes are attached to players heads to record data. Hausler and Hantschke, whose work is based in the German town of Potsdam, were both present at the final two years and were handed the trophy during the post-match celebrations.
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- Liverpool will turn to a brains trust of neuroscientists to help in their quest for four trophies this season, with German firm Neuro11 booked in for sessions with the squad before their Carabao Cup final against Chelsea next month.
The Reds used the scientists in 2022 during their quest for an unprecedented Quadruple – they won two cups, missed out on the Premier League title by a point and lost the Champions League final – to help measure brain activity and create tailored plans for each player.
It is all in hope to find a marginal gain that could help players be more ‘in the zone’ ahead of crucial matches or in pressure moments like a penalty shoot-out, which Liverpool needed to twice beat Chelsea in those 2022 Carabao and FA Cup finals.
Players wear electrodes from the Potsdam-based firm on their heads during training sessions, which measure the live activity of the brain and can inform methods to reach peak mental state – different for each case – which can in turn improve precision on the pitch.
‘Knowing ourselves in more detail makes it possible for us to optimise our mental processes and develop the best and most stable routine,’ said Dr Niklas Hausler, a co-founder, in 2022.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will turn to a brain trust of neuroscientists to help their quest for four trophies this season
viewing nowThe firm has also found success in high-concentration sports such as golf, darts and archery.
The data helps indicate how certain players get in the zone and also how they could fall out of it. This can inform tailored practices for Liverpool’s stars to use in those pressure moments, such as walking up to take a penalty in front of 90,000 people at Wembley.
Neuro11 did work with the squad before the Carabao Cup semi-final and are poised to come in again ahead of the Chelsea clash on February 25. It is another innovative idea from Klopp.
In 2018, he hired specialist throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark to improve those situations.
In a summer pre-season camp, Klopp invited German-born triathlete Jan Frodeno, who has won Olympic gold medals and Ironman titles, to do a talk about mental resilience, while the former Saatchi & Saatchi CEO did a session on empowering players’ voices.
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