Reporter: Liverpool’s bold plan for a Serie A star defender

Liverpool’s transfer window is heating up with the club reportedly targeting Juventus defender Gleison Bremer as their top priority. This news, confirmed by Samuel Bannister on TEAMtalk, indicates that new Liverpool boss Arne Slot is keen to bolster his defensive options following the departure of Joel Matip.

Bremer has consistently impressed since his move from Torino to Juventus in 2022, making 83 appearances and earning a place in the Serie A Team of the Year for three consecutive seasons. His solid performances have not gone unnoticed, and Liverpool’s interest is testament to his abilities.

Juventus, however, are keen to keep hold of Bremer, who is under contract until 2028. Despite his release clause only kicking in next summer, Liverpool are prepared to make a substantial offer to secure his services now.

If Liverpool are able to sign Bremer, he is likely to become one of the club’s most expensive defenders, potentially surpassing Ibrahima Konate’s £36m fee from 2021. Bremer could even take Konate’s place in Liverpool’s starting line-up, forming a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk.

With Van Dijk entering the final year of his contract and Liverpool setting a high asking price for their captain, Bremer’s arrival could mark a significant shift in the club’s defensive strategy. As Bannister notes, “Bremer would likely surpass Ibrahima Konate’s £36m fee from 2021 and could take the Frenchman’s place in the team’s strongest lineup as well.”

While Bremer is Liverpool’s top target, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has also been considered. Liverpool are confident that Guehi would be interested in joining them, adding another layer of intrigue to their transfer plans.

At 27, Bremer is in his prime, just as Van Dijk was when he joined Liverpool. This potential acquisition highlights Liverpool’s strategy of combining experienced defenders with emerging talent to maintain their defensive solidity.

As Slot and new sporting director Richard Hughes continue to assess the squad, Liverpool fans are eagerly awaiting their first senior signing of the summer. With Bremer at the top of the list, the Reds could be in for a significant defensive upgrade.

Liverpool fans have every reason to be excited about the potential signing of Gleison Bremer. His consistent performances in Serie A, coupled with his impressive physical presence and defensive acumen, make him an ideal candidate to strengthen Liverpool’s backline. Bremer’s ability to read the game, coupled with his strong attacking and aerial prowess, would add much-needed depth and reliability to the defence.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Bremer also signals the club’s intent to remain competitive at the highest level. The prospect of Bremer partnering Van Dijk is tantalising, offering a blend of experience, strength and tactical nous that could restore Liverpool’s defensive dominance.

The fact that Liverpool are willing to test Juventus’ resolve with a significant offer shows their commitment to securing top talent. Bremer’s arrival could be a game-changer, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Van Dijk’s future.

Furthermore, considering Marc Guehi as an alternative demonstrates Liverpool’s strategic approach to building a robust defence. The potential move for Guehi reflects Liverpool’s foresight in planning for the future whilst also addressing immediate needs.

As the only Premier League club yet to make a senior signing this summer, Liverpool fans are understandably anxious. However, the potential acquisition of Bremer could be worth the wait, signalling a new era of defensive stability under Arne Slot.

In conclusion, Liverpool’s signing of Bremer is a bold and exciting move, which promises to improve the team’s defensive capabilities and set the stage for a successful season.

Gleison Bremer’s performance data over the past 365 days paints a compelling picture of a defender at the top of his game. The data, sourced from Fbref, highlights his standout abilities across a number of defensive and possession metrics, highlighting why he is a key target for Liverpool.

Bremer’s defensive prowess is immediately evident in his statistics. He ranks in the 84th percentile for aerials won, showing his dominance in aerial duels. This is complemented by his high rankings in tackles and interceptions (72nd percentile) and blocks (58th percentile). His clearances also rank well in the 55th percentile, indicating his reliability in defensive situations. These statistics collectively affirm his reputation as a robust and dominant presence at the back.

In terms of possession, Bremer shows mixed results. His pass completion percentage is moderately strong at the 70th percentile, reflecting his ability to maintain possession under pressure. However, his progressive passes (47th percentile) and progressive carries (11th percentile) suggest that, while competent, he is not a primary playmaker on defense. This balance implies that Bremer is reliable at maintaining and distributing possession, but is not often involved in advancing the play himself.

Although primarily a defender, Bremer’s attacking contributions are notable. He ranks in the 45th percentile for non-penalty goals and the 33rd percentile for assists, indicating a knack for contributing to offensive play. His xAG (expected goals assisted) and npxG (expected non-penalty goals) are also respectable, suggesting he could be a threat during set pieces or advanced plays.

Gleison Bremer’s performance data underscores his status as a top-class defender. His defensive metrics, combined with solid possession stats and notable attacking contributions, make him an invaluable asset for any top club. Liverpool’s interest in him is well-founded, and his addition could significantly bolster their defensive lineup.