Data expert shares insight into Liverpool transfer approach amid justified concerns
Josh Williams has shared why the data-driven transfer approach at Liverpool restricted the number of signings this summer.
The Reds had a quiet transfer window, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili being signed from Valencia and loaned back to the LaLiga outfit for the campaign, while Italian forward Federico Chiesa joined from Juventus two days later.
Liverpool failed in their attempts earlier in the summer to convince Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi to swap Spain for England, his rejection ending all attempts to strengthen the midfield options.
Williams, an author and journalist specialising in sports data, shared exclusively with Liverpool News why the Reds decided not to seek alternatives after Zubimendi opted to remain in San Sebastian.
“Liverpool tried for a six, they didn’t get the six. Liverpool probably should have been in the market for a centre-back and didn’t get one,” Williams said. “So I think those concerns are justified.
“On the data-driven point, sometimes it’s about more than that. Sometimes there’s lots of players out there that tick the data-driven methods, but whether they’re actually attainable is another question.
“I’d say for example, a complete random example from the sky, if Liverpool wanted a centre-half and wanted a left-footed one to maybe succeed Virgil [van Dijk] in the future, someone like Alessandro Bastoni ticks all the boxes. But getting him out of Inter Milan is another question.
“He’s earning a lot there, he’s got a long contract there, so you can’t do the deal. So it’s not all down to the data fellers. There’s more to it than that.
“I think it’s a difficult one this because I think Liverpool are quite clearly trying to address this number six need. Over the past two seasons really they’ve attempted to get to [Aurelien] Tchouameni, [Romeo] Lavia, [Moises] Caicedo, now Zubimendi and I also think there’s a lot of context behind why each of those moves don’t happen.
“Each move is different to the other. In Zubimendi’s case, he just doesn’t want to leave his hometown. There’s not a lot you can do about that. So the intention, the attempt there from Liverpool’s side, at least they’re there, they’re trying to strengthen.”
Liverpool will trust their instincts in pursuit of new signings
The jury is still out on whether Richard Hughes had a successful first transfer window as sporting director at Liverpool, with the arrivals coming in the final days before the 30 August deadline.
While there was Euro 2024 and Copa America participation to contend with, along with settling into his new role at Anfield under a new look regime and new head coach, there was a fundamental infrastructural change at the Reds.
However, any Liverpool fan with a brain could tell that the side needed strengthening after the underwhelming conclusion of Jurgen Klopp’s final year.
Without the charismatic German, too much uncertainty surrounded the Reds, and serious investment was seemingly needed to give Arne Slot every chance of success.
Slot has put all those worries to bed with a 100 per cent start to the season heading into the international break, rounded off with a resounding 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Ryan Gravenberch has thrown himself into the spotlight with exceptional performances as the anchor of the midfield three. The decision to leave a defensive midfield signing this summer is looking more shrewd with each passing match.
The data-driven approach values quality over quantity, given the horrible track record of managers gone by such as Roy Hodgson and Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool supporters should rejoice in the fact that the club is in capable hands.
After two years and four failed attempts to sign a world-class defensive midfielder, it could be that Liverpool have the man they are looking for already within their ranks.
In other Liverpool news, Data expert shares ‘chaotic’ Darwin Nunez transfer verdict at the Reds.
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