Liverpool can pull off masterstroke by signing Archie Gray
Three months after making his first-team debut, Leeds 17-year-old star Archie Gray was acquired by Liverpool for £40 million, as the Daily Mail revealed earlier this week.
The 17-year-old midfielder for Leeds has shown his versatility and potential in the Championship, making him a revelation.
His ability to switch between positions has led to comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool, which is not surprising.
Since making his debut, Gray—who can also play right-back—has contributed significantly to Leeds’ season in nearly every game.
The similarities between Grey and Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool have been sparked by their similar athleticism and adaptability.
Liverpool’s head coach, Jurgen Klopp is reportedly interested in Grey because, like the England player, he can play a variety of positions.
With his obvious natural talent and promise, Grey might develop into a useful addition for Liverpool in the future years if they eventually sign him. He would cost in the region of £40m.
Gray – what a talent!
The act of fullbacks moving into midfield is not entirely a new concept in football. However, it takes a high level of technicality from fullbacks to switch in-between midfield and defense at the right time.
When a full-back is inverted, it aids in securing the middle of the pitch for the attacking team.
They are indications that Gray is Liverpool’s choice as the next Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Many people rank the adaptable England international as one of Europe’s most dynamic defenders.
Gray is a technical midfielder who excels in virtually everything that aids possession. Passing, ball carrying, ball retention, etc.
He also possesses traits of a fullback where he excelled in making timely tackles, winning duels, and making interceptions.
This makes him a perfect fit for the inverting full-back role and Klopp’s Reds might hit another masterstrokin the transfer window if they secure his transfer Liverpool players.
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Liverpool have midfielder who is quietly outperforming Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo
Andros Townsend faced Liverpool with Luton Town earlier this month and he was left impressed by Alexis Mac Allister.
Andros Townsend has hailed the ability of Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister after lining up against the midfielder at Kenilworth Road with Luton Town earlier this month.
Mac Allister, who joined the Reds from Brighton & Hove Albion in June for a fee in the region of £35m, has unexpectedly been deployed as Liverpool’s first-choice defensive midfielder following the summer exit of Fabinho to Al-Ittihad.
“It’s so tough, you can’t really allow anyone to have the ball.”T
ownsend’s praise of Mac Allister has been affirmed by recent stats displayed by Sky Sports News, which compare the World Cup’s performance in the No.6 role to those of Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice.
Mac Allister is averaging more tackles per 90 in the Premier League (2.8) than Rice (2.3) and Caicedo (1.9), who moved to Arsenal and Chelsea respectively this summer for transfer fees in the excess of £100m.
Mac Allister also boasts a superior rate of interceptions than Caicedo, with his rate at 1.5 per 90 eclipsing the Ecuardorian’s return of 0.9 per 90.
The Liverpool No.10 enjoyed arguably his finest outing in a red shirt in October as Jurgen Klopp’s side defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Anfield.
Mac Allister had been instrumental in the Reds’ first goal, forcing a turnover in the centre of the pitch before threading a pass for Mohamed Salah to run onto.
It’s obviously really not a discussion we have, otherwise we wouldn’t play him there,” said Liverpool boss Klopp after the game when asked about his deployment of Mac Allister in a deeper role.
“But I think today everybody could see the benefit of a player who comes rather from the offensive side of the game than from the other side.
“In a game where you have to create things, where you have to pass, where you have to switch sides. That’s how it is then.
“Not all the balls reach the target, but if you try something in tight spaces, that’s completely normal. I have no problem at all with losing balls around the box because that’s where we should be then for counter-press.
“I’m really pleased for him. And a lot of top defensive moments. Really built the counter, stuff like this.
Was really there. He’s good at these things, that’s why we play him there. In one-vs-one situations, really good.”
Mac Allister missed the Reds’ victory over Brentford on Sunday after picking up a one-game suspension for a fifth yellow card of the season against Luton but will be eligible to face Manchester City next weekend.
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