Liverpool Are Facing Tough Competition For This Talented Midfielder: Should Slot Snap Him Up? | OneFootball

In a recent report, journalist Mark Brus stated that Liverpool are facing tough competition for Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu this summer. It has been claimed that the Reds would have to rival Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan in the race to land the Turkish talent this off-season.

Kokcu enjoyed a good run of form at the Portuguese club as he was responsible for putting in a series of impressive displays for them at the centre of the park. The 24-year-old scored 12 times and earned nine assists in 51 matches for Benfica last season in multiple competitions.

The Turkish sensation deserves a ton of credit for averaging 2.05 shots per 90 minutes in Liga Portugal. He kept 36.7% of his attempts on target. Kokcu even distributed possession relatively well after making 82% of his attempted passes in the Portuguese top flight (stats via fbref.com).

His current contract at Benfica will expire in the summer of 2028 which could make it difficult for the Reds to get him on board on a cut-price deal in this transfer period.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 2: Orkun Kokcu of SL Benfica in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between SL Benfica and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio da Luz on October 2, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Should Liverpool Boss Arne Slot Snap Kokcu Up This Summer?

Kokcu is full of energy and running at the centre of the park. He can shoot the ball with venom from long range and has got the eye to play some decisive passes in the final third. The Turkish sensation is a good dribbler with the ball as well. He can even chip in by scoring and creating his fair share of goals from midfield.

Kokcu is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also operate as a defensive midfielder or as an attacking midfielder if told to do so. However, he might struggle to adapt to the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League if the Reds manage to sign him this summer.

We can expect Kokcu to bring more quality and depth to Liverpool head coach Arne Slot’s midfield department. He is more than capable of fighting for a regular starting place at Anfield next season.

At 24, Kokcu has his peak years ahead of him which makes him a decent choice for the Merseyside club to consider this off-season. He might even help the Reds compete for some major honours over the next decade. Therefore, Slot would be wise to snap him up soon.