Liverpool need a new right-back and have made contact with AS Monaco’s Vanderson over a summer move.
The Reds will lose Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer and are in the market for a replacement. That search has led them to Vanderson.
The 23-year-old is a marauding full-back who excels on both sides of the ball, and Monaco would demand €30 million to let him go.
Liverpool do not want to spend too much, and Vanderson fits into their budget. He will provide competition for Conor Bradley.
The Brazilian scored once and created five big chances in 27 Ligue 1 appearances this season. He helped keep three clean sheets, winning 61 percent of his ground and 46% of his aerial duels.
Among full-backs, Vanderson is in the top 5% for tackles, interceptions and blocks across Europe’s top five leagues while recording impressive progressive passing and carrying numbers.
The former Gremio defender would be an exciting addition to the Liverpool ranks, but it remains to be seen if the Reds move ahead with a deal.
Vanderson versus Frimpong
The consensus has been that Liverpool will swoop for Bayer Leverkusen man Jeremie Frimpong this summer.
The speedy Dutchman is one of the most productive right-backs in the business. Frimpong has bagged 18 goals and 19 assists in all competitions over the past two seasons.
Frimpong has more than four times as many goal contributions as Vanderson in that time frame.
However, it is worth noting that Frimpong comes from a system where he was more of a winger than a defender, although he does have experience playing as an orthodox right-back.
The above diagram shows Vanderson excels in the defensive phase and can hang with Frimpong offensively.
Liverpool might opt for the seemingly more complete Vanderson, even though Frimpong is an offensive weapon.
With Mohamed Salah signing a new contract, the Reds need a more conservative full-back to play behind him.
Liverpool would be wise to pursue a move for Vanderson ahead of Frimpong. They could still look at other interesting players, such as Tottenham Hotspur’s rampaging full-back Pedro Porro.
There is also Feyenoord starlet Givairo Read, whom Arne Slot knows, and Newcastle United star Tino Livramento, who has been linked with the Reds.
