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Liverpool feel they have struck gold in the recent Non FFO Auction by capturing Italian defender Daniele Rugani for a fee just over £45m. The 28 year old will certainly enhance the Merseyside club's back line whilst also reducing the general age of the side.
Last season had seen the Reds field Mats Hummels and Jordi Alba on a weekly basis but with both players one season from retirement manager Graeme Edwards felt it was time to address the situation ahead of the up and coming campaign.
Hummels found himself being shipped out to Blackburn Rovers as part of many deals done between the clubs in the recent bonanza although Alba has been retained and will spend his final season acting as a capable squad player for the Anfield based outfit.
With the arrival of Rugani, Liverpool look set to head into the new campaign with a revamped defensive line up of Fikayo Tomori, Diego Llorente, Manuel Akanji and of course Rugani himself. Alba will provide cover and recent high profile signing Rodrigo Bentancur can also slot into the back line as and when required although the Uruguayan has predominantly been brought in to play in a defensive midfield role alongside youngster Islamdine Halifa.
Reds boss Edwards is delighted at the capture of Rugani "A great signing for us for sure. A real quality performer and going into the new season he's very much the final piece of the jigsaw for us in terms of where our squad is sitting. We needed a defender and he fits the bill perfectly both in terms of his age and the ability he possesses. Don't get me wrong we still have plenty work to do moving forward in creating a younger, stronger squad of players but as I've said before Rome wasn't built in a day and these things don't happen overnight. We are working hard to get where we need to be whilst also trying to remain competitive on the park. For far too long this club has under performed and our supporters have suffered so it is vital that we try to give them a team to be proud of and that's what we are desperately trying to do"
As expected forward Mykhailo Mudryk has been given the captain's armband as was the case at the start of last season. The Ukrainian performed well last season and is highly regarded at Anfield. The 24 year old will form a new partnership up front with Spaniard Raúl de Tomás following the departure of Marcus Rashford who initially joined Fiorentina but has now found himself at Emirates Stadium as the main man for Arsenal.
In other news the unexpected charitable Christmas offering from the FFO hierarchy has given a boost to every club within the game and Liverpool feel that they have benefitted greatly from the kind gift with several players rating up as a consequence. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defenders Tomori and Akanji and midfielder Jack Grealish have all kicked on to the next level whilst auction signing Rugani has improved his passing. Star signing Rodrigo Bentancur's tackling has also improved with the Uruguayan looking every inch the superstar player that Liverpool were craving at the time of his signing. Youngster Halifa also benefitted but not to the extent that any of his ratings have increased.
Edwards "The generosity from the FFO was extremely well received here as I'm sure it was at most clubs and we are delighted at the boost that it has given our squad so close to the big kick off"
Last season had seen the Reds field Mats Hummels and Jordi Alba on a weekly basis but with both players one season from retirement manager Graeme Edwards felt it was time to address the situation ahead of the up and coming campaign.
Hummels found himself being shipped out to Blackburn Rovers as part of many deals done between the clubs in the recent bonanza although Alba has been retained and will spend his final season acting as a capable squad player for the Anfield based outfit.
With the arrival of Rugani, Liverpool look set to head into the new campaign with a revamped defensive line up of Fikayo Tomori, Diego Llorente, Manuel Akanji and of course Rugani himself. Alba will provide cover and recent high profile signing Rodrigo Bentancur can also slot into the back line as and when required although the Uruguayan has predominantly been brought in to play in a defensive midfield role alongside youngster Islamdine Halifa.
Reds boss Edwards is delighted at the capture of Rugani "A great signing for us for sure. A real quality performer and going into the new season he's very much the final piece of the jigsaw for us in terms of where our squad is sitting. We needed a defender and he fits the bill perfectly both in terms of his age and the ability he possesses. Don't get me wrong we still have plenty work to do moving forward in creating a younger, stronger squad of players but as I've said before Rome wasn't built in a day and these things don't happen overnight. We are working hard to get where we need to be whilst also trying to remain competitive on the park. For far too long this club has under performed and our supporters have suffered so it is vital that we try to give them a team to be proud of and that's what we are desperately trying to do"
As expected forward Mykhailo Mudryk has been given the captain's armband as was the case at the start of last season. The Ukrainian performed well last season and is highly regarded at Anfield. The 24 year old will form a new partnership up front with Spaniard Raúl de Tomás following the departure of Marcus Rashford who initially joined Fiorentina but has now found himself at Emirates Stadium as the main man for Arsenal.
In other news the unexpected charitable Christmas offering from the FFO hierarchy has given a boost to every club within the game and Liverpool feel that they have benefitted greatly from the kind gift with several players rating up as a consequence. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defenders Tomori and Akanji and midfielder Jack Grealish have all kicked on to the next level whilst auction signing Rugani has improved his passing. Star signing Rodrigo Bentancur's tackling has also improved with the Uruguayan looking every inch the superstar player that Liverpool were craving at the time of his signing. Youngster Halifa also benefitted but not to the extent that any of his ratings have increased.
Edwards "The generosity from the FFO was extremely well received here as I'm sure it was at most clubs and we are delighted at the boost that it has given our squad so close to the big kick off"