Jürgen Klopp Emulates Pep Guardiola’s Transfer Strategy to Address ‘Impossible’ Challenge for Liverpool.
Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have both adopted a similar approach in the transfer market, recognizing a common factor that has influenced their decisions.
In 2022, Wolves included a clause in Matheus Nunes’ signing from Sporting that would have allowed Liverpool to sign him the following year. While the clause was eventually removed, it’s uncertain whether Liverpool would have pursued him regardless. Nunes, initially seen as a significant signing for Wolves, had a somewhat underwhelming first season, playing in multiple midfield roles and on the flanks in search of his best position.
The transfer window saw Manchester City making a surprising offer for Nunes, likely due to his ball-carrying ability. Despite not ranking at the top during his sole season at Wolves, he was second in progressive carries in his final season in the Primeira Liga.
This emphasis on ball-carrying ability was also evident in Manchester City’s summer signings, including Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić, and Jérémy Doku, who all excelled in progressive carries.
Liverpool followed a similar trend in their summer recruitment, focusing on midfielders like Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, known for their ability to progress the ball.
Ryan Gravenberch, a new recruit for Liverpool, is particularly synonymous with this attribute, ranking in the top 10 for total progressive carrying distance in the Eredivisie in his last two seasons at Ajax.
Pep Guardiola highlighted the importance of players who can dribble and carry the ball forward, emphasizing their role in breaking down low-block defenses and creating numerical overloads. This approach allows possession-dominant teams like Manchester City and Liverpool to exploit spaces and disrupt opposition structures.
Klopp and Guardiola, known for their innovative thinking in football, have both recognized the value of ball carriers as a potent weapon to enhance their teams’ offensive capabilities.
Jürgen Klopp Emulates Pep Guardiola’s Transfer Strategy to Address ‘Impossible’ Challenge for Liverpool.
