Whilst Liverpool have already moved quick in this summer’s transfer window, signing Calvin Ramsey, Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez. Reports still continue on a daily basis surrounding Liverpool’s transfer business and the fact that it might not quite be over yet.
One area that many fans have speculated about is the midfield. Some have felt that current PSG midfielder Gini Wijnaldum was never really replaced and that a new addition in the defensive midfield role would enable Fabinho to get much-needed rest throughout the season when needed for bigger and more important games.
Rumours are just rumours after all, however, one particular name that has kept creeping up in the media over the past few seasons is Konrad Laimer at RB Leipzig.
Speaking to Kicker (via HITC), RB Leipzig head coach Domenico Tedesco, emphasised his desire to keep rumoured Liverpool and Arsenal target, Konrad Laimer at the club. This also comes after reports suggesting that the Austrian international had already agreed on personal terms with German giants Bayern Munich, as his contract runs out in the summer of 2023.
“He is our player and that’s how I plan the whole thing.” These comments from the young manager suggest that they will keep hold of the 25-year-old. But, it is understandable why the defensive midfielder is attracting a lot of attention from multiple clubs.
Konrad Laimer has been a key player in the rebuild of RB Leipzig over the past couple of seasons and also played a significant role in the club’s DFB-Pokal triumph back in May. Leipzig made history in Berlin’s Olympiastadion as 74,322 spectators watched on as they beat SC Freiburg on penalties to win their first-ever DFB-Pokal. A similar trophy of importance to the FA Cup. So, it is understandable that some of the best clubs in the world are being linked with the Austrian. But, how good actually is he?
According to [transfermarkt.co.uk] the Salzburg-born midfielder is currently valued at £25.2million. Since moving to the club in 2017, for a fee of £6.3million, Laimer has made 109 appearances for Leipzig, with a major ankle fracture that forced him to miss 42 games between August 2020 and April 2021.
In an article titled ‘Konrad Laimer is bloody good’ for [mazzalamag.co.uk], Mitchell Wilks perfectly described Laimer’s abilities saying, “He’s the glue between the lines and in the differing phases of play, aiding transitions with his sharp, short passing, press resistance and ability to cover ground.”
“Picking up the ball in risky positions in his own half, alleviating the pressure on central defenders and allowing full-backs to advance.”
When we compare Laimer to our current best defensive midfielder, Fabinho, it is evident where the similarities lie and how the Austrian would easily be able to slot into our system and cover for the Brazilian in less significant games or even just in a method of rotation.
The following graphic from [whoscored.com] compares the two in the 2019/20 season, which arguably for both of them has been their best individual club season yet.
Credit: Whoscored.com
As you can see from the statistics above, both Laimer and Fabinho played a similar amount of games during the 2019/20 season. One of the standout areas to focus in on is the PS% (Pass Success Percentage). In that season, Fabinho had a pass success percentage of 87% compared to Laimer’s 81.1%, both respectable values when it comes to a holding midfielder.
Having the same amount of goals and Laimer proving he does have a few assists in his locker are notable and overall, both players show similar trends in how they play and what their roles are in their team’s individual systems. The only noticeable difference in the graphic above is the aerial duels won, however, Fabinho is the taller of the two at 6 foot 1, compared to Laimer who is 5 foot 9. Not that this is the sole reason for him not winning as many aerial duels but it is also an area that can be worked on and also a statistic of less significance compared to others.
So, for now, Konrad Laimer remains an RB-Leipzig player with the club confident on keeping hold of him for many more seasons due to his age and current ability. But, he is certainly a player to keep your eye on for the future as you never know who may be on Jurgen’s radar these days.
What do you think? If you were Jurgen Klopp, would you be looking at bringing in a player like Laimer as back-up to Fabinho or maybe you have another suggestion?
