A fantastic free transfer could be exactly what Liverpool need. They're trying to make it happen.
CaughtOffside are among those claiming that Liverpool are still in the hunt for Marcos Senesi. The Bournemouth star is out of contract in the summer and is expected to move elsewhere.
It's easy to see why Liverpool hold an interest, too. Senesi is the kind of player who could transform their team and add something they're sorely lacking – attacking production from deep.
This is something Liverpool really, really need. Their deeper players don't really break teams down, whether you're looking at their centre-backs or their deeper midfielders.
Ibrahima Konate, for instance, plays around 56 passes per 90 minutes. He creates a chance just shy of once every four 90s (0.23 per 90) and plays almost exactly two long passes per 90.
Ryan Gravenberch plays a similar number of passes (50) but does create a bit more: 0.84 chances per 90 minutes. As for long passes, you're looking at well under one per 90 (0.71).
Senesi's numbers are notably higher. While his passes are roughly the same (48), the Argentine creates around the same number of chances as the midfielder, Gravenberch (0.71). Notably, he creates more big chances – 0.22 per 90 to the Dutchman’s 0.13.
The Bournemouth star is also spreading play more than the pair of them combined. Senesi plays over five long balls per 90, so more than double what Konate manages.
This isn't to say that Senesi is 'better' than either player. He would, however, add something that Liverpool don't have in their squad and potentially transform them going forward – reducing pressure on the midfielders and simply bringing more from deep.
No centre-back has a higher number of expected assists this season. He's above the 93rd percentile for defensive contributions, long balls and created chances – a special kind of defender and exactly the kind of player you pick up on a free.
Let's see if Liverpool can get it done.
