Liverpool next transfer WILL be African superstar | OneFootball

Sometimes you get a player so good, you just want to clone them.

Liverpool fans know this. That's why they sang about a team of Carraghers in the early 2000s. Now if we were to sing the same chant about one player in Arne Slot's team, it should probably be Ryan Gravenberch.

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He is the man in midfield who makes Slot's side tick. Gravenberch missed the first two games of the season, and what happened? Chaos.

Liverpool conceded four goals and looked all over the place - especially in transitions when Bournemouth and Crystal Palace both exposed the Reds.

Then Gravenberch comes back in, and Liverpool suddenly look a lot less vulnerable. His first game back against Newcastle was a little shaky - although that was largely just because how chaotic the rest of the game was.

But then against Arsenal, he was pretty sublime, helping the Reds keep a clean-sheet and showing why Slot never needed Martin Zubimendi in the first place.

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Without Gravenberch, Liverpool looses its spine, and that's why it's becoming increasingly obvious that the club's next transfer will be for a player who could be a 'clone' of the Dutchman.

A lot of fans have touted Adam Wharton's name about. But one of the best African stars playing in Europe right now, Carlos Baleba of Cameroon. He is a much better fit for the role.

Because he's pretty much exactly what we said above - a Gravenberch clone.

The similarities are not obvious at first glance. He is left-footed, probably has a bit more speed in his movement, and slightly more direction in his posture. But look closer at their numbers and where they excel and the resemblance is uncanny.

According to Wyscout, Gravenberch averages 6.23 defensive duels per 90 minutes. Baleba? 6.48. The difference is negligible. In terms of possession-adjusted interceptions, Gravenberch posts 6.61, Baleba 6.33. Defensively, they are practically identical. They are not ball-winners in the classical sense, but ball disturbers, players who interrupt flow, then rebuild it. Over and over again.

It's proven by their on the ball qualities. Both Baleba and Gravenberch are carriers. Gravenberch averages 1.62 progressive runs per 90. Baleba averages 1.64. They see space on the pitch as an invitation, not threat - a bit like Joel Matip at centre-back.

Slot's Feyenoord team thrived on verticality and momentum and his Liverpool system needs that, too. Players who don’t just connect play, but advance it. And not just through passes (although even in progressive passes the difference between the two is 0.46 per 90) but through runs.

It's why Gravenberch is so important to this team. He covers so much ground and he disturbs the opposition, while also being able to advance the play and carry the ball.

Based on the raw numbers, it's easy to see that what Gravenberch offers on Liverpool's right, Baleba could offer on the Reds' left, given the fact that he is left-footed.

The flavour of the month seems to be Wharton because of his progressive passes and his technicality. He's a superb player but with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai as well as Alexis Mac Allister in the team, already capable of doing that - what Slot needs is a Baleba.

This is why it's becoming increasingly likely that he will be the club's next signing. This summer has shown that if Liverpool need a player and want to sign him, they will.