Liverpool looking to STEAL versatile £13m Manchester United target

Liverpool’s start to the season has seen a monumental improvement from the output on their left hand side.

Luis Diaz’s five goals in six league games has catapulted the Reds to the top of the table up to this point, combined with stellar performances from Alexis Mac Allister occupying the centre-left space of the midfield.

And whilst Curtis Jones deputised aptly for Mac Allister against West Ham in the League Cup last week, there is a sense that a rotation in the midfield areas is a bit of a higher risk at present.

Now, TBR Football are reporting that Liverpool are eyeing Argentina under-23 international Kevin Zenon. Zenon, who currently plies his trade at Argentinian giants Boca Juniors, has spent his time moving between a left midfield and left wing position this season. Whilst this boils down to Boca largely setting up in a flat 4-4-2, it does raise the question of where Liverpool picture Zenon fitting into their side.

With Manchester United and Newcastle United also interested in the midfielder, the report states that Zenon has a £12.7m release clause in his contract, meaning any transfer would be as much about Zenon’s desire than anything else. Liverpool could aim to woo him with success on the pitch this season.

Zenon’s returns are not the highest at present – only one assist and zero goals involvements in 10 games so far this season – yet his stats present a different story. He averages 3.47 progressive carries and 6.21 progressive passes per-90, more than compatriot Mac Allister in the former (1.4) and more than both Mac Allister and Luis Diaz in the latter. He also averages more shot creating actions per-90 than the Liverpool midfielder, at 3.47 per-90 than 3.16. Mac Allister’s defensive work is higher, however, averaging a tackle + interception rate of 3.51 per-90 to Zenon’s 1.68.

The Boca player is only 22 years old and, as we have seen from Ryan Gravenberch this season so far, it is an age where significant growth can be achieved. He presents a more attacking profile than Alexis Mac Allister at present, meaning Liverpool would sacrifice a level of defensive stability if they were to ever bring Zenon in, but attacking output would rise. With that in mind, he could also be an option on Luis Diaz’s left wing or in Dominik Szoboszlai’s current advanced midfield position.