Liverpool is considering acquiring a remarkable £60m Guimaraes substitute who is similar to Rice…

Liverpool have the opportunity to secure the services of a remarkable £60m Guimaraes alternative, who has been likened to Rice due to his exceptional abilities.

Liverpool could secure the services of an exceptional £60m alternative to Guimaraes, who has been compared to Rice.

If FSG gives the green light to this ambitious deal, Arne Slot’s midfield would finally be complete.

Last summer, Liverpool’s urgent need for a new defensive midfielder was evident.

Fabinho’s departure to Al-Ittihad for £40m in July, coupled with his injury struggles during the 2022/23 season, left a void in the team. James Milner and several other players also left after their contracts expired, while Jordan Henderson was sold due to his diminishing role.

As transfer rumors continued to circulate and bids for players like Romeo Lavia were rejected, Liverpool’s desperation grew deeper. Even a staggering £111m offer for Moises Caicedo, a British-record transfer move, couldn’t materialize as the player’s heart was set on joining Stamford Bridge.

However, the £16m acquisition of Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, a relatively unknown 30-year-old midfielder, was not a hasty decision or a gamble. Despite not being the first choice, the Japan international was recognized as a clever solution that proved successful during Jurgen Klopp’s final season.

Nevertheless, it was clear that Endo was not the permanent answer, and now FSG, Michael Edwards, and Arne Slot are eager to secure the signature of a talented No. 6 player with the potential to reach world-class quality.

Recent transfer rumors suggest that Liverpool is in contention to sign Aston Villa’s standout player, Douglas Luiz. However, Serie A side Juventus currently holds the advantage in the race for his signature, according to a report from Calcio Mercato last week.

In addition to Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are also monitoring the situation of the Brazilian international. Unai Emery’s side values Luiz at approximately £60m, considering their qualification for the Champions League through a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Luiz is not the sole player that Edwards has his eye on, but his exceptional performances in the English Premier League demonstrate the worthiness of pursuing his signature.

Douglas Luiz’s statistics for the season

According to Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic, Luiz is regarded as one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League. This claim is difficult to dispute, considering his pivotal role in Aston Villa’s success. As a central midfielder, he has proven to be indispensable.

Having scored ten goals and provided ten assists for Villa in all competitions this season, Luiz’s performance has been nothing short of breathtaking. His presence in the center of the pitch combines hard work with a unique attacking prowess.

In fact, according to FBref, this 5 foot 10 star ranks in the top 16% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals over the past year. He also ranks in the top 17% for shot-creating actions and the top 20% for passes attempted per 90 minutes. These statistics highlight his potential to make a significant impact in Liverpool’s first team under Slot.

Furthermore, pundit Jermaine Pennant made a favorable comparison between Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa and Arsenal’s Declan Rice last December. Pennant stated that Luiz can do everything Rice can do, but better. He mentioned that Luiz assists more, scores more goals, and is more creative and flairful. Pennant also highlighted Luiz’s ability to tackle and break up play, similar to Rice. Considering this, Pennant expressed his preference for Luiz over Rice, even at a lower price.

Mikel Arteta acquired Rice from West Ham United for £105m last summer, establishing him as one of the top players in his position globally. However, Luiz has shown his capabilities, and Pennant’s endorsement may hold some truth.

While Rice would be an ideal addition to Liverpool’s midfield, Luiz appears to be a more viable option. Despite the speculation surrounding Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, Luiz could be the superior choice to pursue.

Reasons why Liverpool should consider signing Douglas Luiz

Liverpool’s midfield is already filled with talented players, but it is clear that they lack a holding midfielder of the same caliber as Rodri from Manchester City or Rice from Arsenal. While Endo has had a successful campaign, he may not be the ideal choice for this crucial role. On the other hand, Chelsea’s Caicedo has shown great potential at just 22 years old, but he still needs time to develop into one of Europe’s top midfielders.

According to Spanish sources, Liverpool is now considering Guimaraes as a potential addition to their squad. This comes amidst reports that Newcastle might need to sell players to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules.

Guimaraes is highly regarded and would be a valuable asset to Liverpool, but his price tag of €115m (£100m) might be a hurdle.

Teammate Dan Burn has described Guimaraes as “world-class,” and his performances in the Premier League have showcased his strengths in various areas of the game. Liverpool could greatly benefit from his skills and contributions to the team.

In conclusion, signing Douglas Luiz would be a wise move for Liverpool as they look to strengthen their midfield and compete at the highest level.

He is quite skilled. However, acquiring Guimaraes would come at a high cost, and Edwards and FSG are likely aware of the necessity to make changes in various positions this summer.

Last season, Liverpool decided against pursuing Jude Bellingham due to concerns about the hefty price tag associated with bringing the young talent to Anfield. This decision was made in light of the significant task of revamping the midfield.

Instead of focusing on a single big investment, Liverpool diversified their spending and successfully returned to the top, securing a spot in the Champions League, challenging for the Premier League title, and winning the Carabao Cup.

While Douglas Luiz may not be as high-profile as Guimaraes, he is still a player of great skill – praised as “incredible” by journalist Zach Lowy – and would be a fantastic addition to Liverpool under Slot’s management.