This year, Liverpool has seen a lot of change, and Arne Slot’s promising endeavour appears to be headed in the right path. Preseason results should be interpreted cautiously, but the Dutchman’s style’s inculcation is, to put it mildly, seamless.
The Reds are beginning to show their ability to play with the ball after defeating Arsenal 2-1 in a fun friendly in Philadelphia. While supporters are hoping for some action this summer in the middle of the park, such as the signing of a build-up specialist to provide competition for Wataru Endo and orchestrate from the base of the midfield, work needs to be done elsewhere.
With Joel Matip’s contract expiring in June, Anfield’s central defence has long been seen as in need of renovation; however, Jarell Quansah’s rise has lessened the urgency for quick investment.
The attacking sides also want some more firepower, particularly as the highly regarded Mohamed Salah enters his final season. FSG appears prepared to amp up their interest in the coming weeks after sporting director Richard Hughes said that Liverpool would see a “crescendo” in August.
Liverpool is prepared to attack
Liverpool is one of the top Premier League teams interested in signing Pedro Neto this summer, according to Football Transfers, however Tottenham Hotspur is presently leading the battle.
Though he has had his fair share of injury setbacks recently, the 24-year-old is still one of the most sought-after wingers in English football and is a target for title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.
The Portuguese winger, who is valued at £60 million by Wolverhampton Wanderers, is expected to be sold this summer. Because of his versatility on both wings, he may be the ideal addition for Liverpool as they prepare to return to the Champions League and begin a new chapter in their history.
Why it is possible for Liverpool to sign Pedro Neto
Since joining Wolves in an £8 million double swoop with Bruno Jordao from Serie A team Lazio back in 2019, Neto has been a well-known character in the Premier League.
He was only 19. Now, a fully-fledged sensation, Neto has established himself as one of Wolves’ most talented players in modern history, described as an “incredibly talented and physically very gifted player” by boss Gary O’Neil at the start of the 2023/24 season.
Injuries might have been his enemy but Neto succeeded in levelling up to an elite-level quality last term, notching three goals and 11 assists across 24 fixtures in all competitions, albeit missing two large portions with hamstring injuries.
Like Jurgen Klopp, Slot practices a physical brand of football that comes from intensive training sessions. However, in contrast to Klopp, the 46-year-old has an excellent fitness record from his two previous clubs, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.
Furthermore, Neto is a seasoned player on the right flank whose left-footed inclination allows him to drift inside and cause havoc. According to FBref, he was among the Premier League’s top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for assists last season and in the top 9% for progressive carries per 90.
Although Merseyside fans are clamouring for Anthony Gordon to sign, the Portugal international would be a dynamic and adaptable addition to a strong attacking lineup. In fact, this might be the better option.
Pedro Neto and Anthony Gordon’s comparison
Called a “pace monster” by pundit Ben Mattinson, Neto would improve the general flow of a Liverpool team that is already flirting with victory this season and give Slot’s wide play a new dimension.
Similar to Jurgen Klopp, Slot plays a physical style of game that is derived on rigorous training regimens. But unlike Klopp, the 46-year-old has a stellar fitness history from his two former Dutch clubs, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar.
In addition, Neto is an experienced right flanker whose tendency to shoot left allows him to drift inside and create havoc. He was in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for assists last season, and he was in the top 9% for progressive carries per ninety, according to FBref.
Although Anthony Gordon’s signing is much anticipated by Merseyside supporters, the Portugal international would be a dynamic and flexible addition to a potent offensive squad. Actually, this might be a better choice.
The comparison between Anthony Gordon and Pedro Neto
Neto, dubbed a “pace monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, would provide a new dimension to Slot’s wide play and enhance the overall flow of a Liverpool team that is already on the verge of triumph this season.
As you can see from the table above, Neto is a more creative and more progressive player than Gordon, at least, he performed as such last term. His goalscoring wasn’t at the same standard but he also played in a goal-shy Wolves team, tasked as the architect of the playmaking.
And a move to Slot’s Liverpool could alter that considerably, for the Anfield outfit created more big chances in the Premier League last year than any of their rivals (with 102).
Wolves, conversely, ranked 16th (with 54), making a telling comment on the importance of Neto’s creative input. Newcastle, as an addendum, ranked joint-second with 97 big chances created – one can only imagine the chaos Neto would have wreaked if placed in either of the northern sides.
Liverpool must sign Neto this summer; that is by no means meant to discredit Gordon’s exciting skillset, but the Portuguese, when fit and firing, is a force to be reckoned with and would make a marked improvement on the Reds.