Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign German international and Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze for quite some time.
However, after failing to qualify for the Champions League, it looks highly unlikely that the World Cup winner will be heading towards Anfield.
On the other hand, there are reports in Portugal (A Bola) suggesting that after failing to sign the former Borussia Dortmund star, Liverpool are now looking to seal the signing of Sporting CP playmaker Joao Mario in the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old Portuguese international played a pivotal role in helping the team challenge for the Primeira Liga title. Unfortunately Jorge Jesus’ men finished two points behind champions Benfica.
Mario scored 6 goals and provided no fewer than 11 assists in 33 league games for Sporting last season (Transfermarkt).
Joao is naturally a winger but he has been effectively utilized as a secondary striker and also in the midfield as well. As per the provided A Bola link, the likes of Chelsea and Man United are also interested in signing Mario.
In your opinion, should Liverpool sign Joao Mario or look elsewhere for better quality?
Forget Gotze – Liverpool Looking to Seal Quality Playmaker Signing
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Don’t know too much about this guy but one thing I’d suggest is that there have been almost as many successful players from Portugal coming here (Ronaldo being the only one I can remember) as there have been from Italy (almost nil apart from Vialli who wasn’t too bad) and I do tend to have a slight worry about players from those countries because so few make the grade here.
He’s not the big name I think LFC need, he’s not performing in a league of any note and his stats aren’t exactly brilliant so if we get him I won’t be dancing naked on the table, that’s for sure.
Traditionally, the best nations for players who do well in this country are Germany and Spain, two of the best leagues in Europe, so getting players already proven in a top league always seems more sensible to me and particularly when both of these leagues seemingly have so many really good players to pick from various trees.
From Spain, just off the top of my head, how about that Camacho and Isco? From Germany, how about that Mahmoud Daoud (I may have spelled that wrong), Hector and a few others of similar ilk? if you can stand out in Germany or Spain you have quality and can more-or-less have a shot at success here. Portugal is ‘iffy’ to me in that the quality of the game, just like in Holland, is poor.
I wouldn’t look good in Portugal or Holland but I’d look better there than here, that’s for sure! Mind you, I am old and fat with no footballing skills . . .
No doubt Mr Klopp knows what sort of player this Grujic guy is whereas most people don’t know his game at all so is he a defensive player – we certainly need one of those – is he right-sided, left-sided, or what? When we’ve seen what sort of player HE is we can then decide what other players we need but, probably, only Kloppy knows that at the moment as he bought him.
We certainly need more creativity, centrally, in midfield but Grujic might provide that, if he plays? Who knows? Even more urgently needed, in my opinion, is another Souness, another Alonso. Our defensive protection is almost nil with Lucas just not good enough and Can and Henderson (if we must play Henderson at all) are better going forward than protecting the back four.
It would be nice to try to find a specialist central midfielder rather than follow the usual route of finding a winger who looks good in the wide open, unhurried expanses on the wing and then trying to convert him into somebody who can cope amidst the boots, knees and elbows in the chaotic centre ground. Very few actually convert well with David Silva being a good example of one who did.
Agreed with a lot of what you say Red Phil, except that Zola was the most successful Italian player in the EPL, not Vialli. I think we just have to trust what Klopp and his team are doing and go with it because they have a proven track record. We have a world class manager and management team now, the first since Rafa but I don’t think we’re going to be spending loads on big money signings unlike the last 2 off seasons under Brendan Rodgers. It’ll be interesting to see what gems they can unearth.
Judging from the look of things, it seems there is confusion somewhere. It is like anyone that can kick just any ball is a signable material as far as LFC is concerned. Wake up Liverpool fc. This is EPL. Go for the right player at the right time.
Liverpoolfc has got no such problem to that extent especially the position Joao plays currently, but again l doubt his quality. I always use to ask this question: ls LFC an academic of taking youth players to come and grow there? For sure the answer of this question could be answered affirmatively by any one who knows LFC and is a fun of this club, two years ago l thought this could be a tendency of Rodgers but l come to realize it today that for sure this is a club slogan and policy thereto. You fail to secure a deal of a player like Higuan today you are busy finding the service of Joao! Is real LFC have any plans to take trophies???? No thank you please! At this time a club have a lot of young players but still you continue hunting other unproven players as Joao. I hate Liverpool transfer committee since they have prove failure and l doubt their professional for sure. You have lbe, Stewart, etc what for?????????????