Former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz has urged the Reds to signal Man Metropolis’s Manuel Akanji, at the moment on mortgage at Inter Milan.
Marc Guehi joined Manchester Metropolis earlier this week (Picture: Getty Photographs)
Liverpool have been inspired to make an strategy to Manchester Metropolis for a defender following their failure to land Marc Guehi. Metropolis have wrapped up a discount £20million deal for the England worldwide after the Reds’ summer season pursuit was scuppered on the closing hurdle. Liverpool are nonetheless looking for to recruit a centre-back, with Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Bournemouth – which included an harm to Joe Gomez – underscoring the need to strengthen on the again.
Former Anfield defender Stephane Henchoz believes Metropolis’s Manuel Akanji, presently on mortgage at Inter Milan, can be a really perfect acquisition. Akanji moved to Metropolis from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and performed a task of their historic treble success in 2023. When he arrived at Metropolis, Pep Guardiola heaped reward on the Switzerland worldwide, who can even function at full-back. “The motion defensively and offensively, he executes it completely,” he stated.
“This can be a reward for the supervisor. Some gamers, it’s a must to clarify 10 instances or prepare 10 instances to point out what you might be pondering or what you wish to do. This man wanted only one coaching session and he bought it. The motion he has to do as a full-back, the excessive urgent, he did not prepare as soon as, and he did it completely. With the ball, he’s a powerful participant.”
Nevertheless, after falling out of favour at Metropolis in the beginning of this season, Akanji was allowed to affix Inter on mortgage for the remainder of the marketing campaign. Along with his long-term future wanting unsure, Henchoz believes the Reds ought to take benefit.
He advised Hajper: “Our build-up must be three within the again and that is why within the place we usually play Kyle [Walker] or John [Stones]. He was completely excellent. Proof once more that clever folks, at all times it pays off.
“Manuel Akanji can be an fascinating possibility for Liverpool. He has confirmed his skill within the Premier League with Manchester Metropolis, regardless of a barely troublesome final season resulting from harm. He’s 30, which isn’t previous for a centre-back, and he has a very good harm file.
Manuel Akanji is on mortgage at Inter Milan (Picture: Getty Photographs)
“I’ve watched him taking part in for Inter Milan and the Swiss nationwide crew since he left Metropolis, and he nonetheless has the required attributes. He possesses all the things you need in a centre-back: tempo, energy, intelligence, good studying of the sport, and luxury in possession.
“Crucially, he is aware of the Premier League, which is a giant benefit for a January switch. When signing a participant within the winter window, you want somebody who can slot in and carry out instantly.
“Akanji meets these wants. Subsequently, if Liverpool can not safe their first-choice goal, Akanji would positively be an fascinating different.”
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Akanji has been touted for a possible return to Metropolis this month following a spate of defensive accidents in Guardiola’s squad. However, the participant has categorically dismissed such hypothesis, stating after their Champions League loss to Arsenal: “No, there was no chance of me returning to Metropolis.”
He added: “The sooner query was about whether or not I would return within the winter and I stated no. What occurs on the finish of the season is just not solely as much as me, however I am very comfortable right here and I hope it will probably proceed. We’ll see what occurs.”
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